The Chicago Sky face a formidable challenge on Wednesday when the New York Liberty visit, confronting the team’s notable vulnerabilities as they continue to seek consistency this season. The Liberty, known for their imposing length and defensive prowess, pose a serious test for the Sky’s struggling lineup.

Sky point guard Skylar Diggins highlighted the Liberty’s size as a key factor. New York’s frontcourt features Breanna Stewart (6-foot-4), Jonquel Jones (6-foot-6), and Satou Sabally (6-foot-4), each with significant inside presence. On the perimeter, Leonie Fiebich (6-foot-4) and Pauline Astier (5-foot-11) excel at disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots, contributing to the Liberty’s strong defensive identity. "Deflections, steals, blocked shots," Diggins said after Sunday’s practice, summing up the Liberty’s defensive approach.

The Liberty have the third-best overall record in the WNBA this season, ranking second in defense and fourth in rebounding. This success comes despite adjusting to new coaching and dealing with injuries. Satou Sabally is still easing back into action after an extended concussion recovery, and All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu recently returned from a seven-game absence due to back soreness.

Chris DeMarco, who took over as head coach after the team parted ways with Sandy Brondello—the 2024 championship-winning coach—has worked to integrate a new system. Early setbacks, including unexpected losses to the expansion Indiana Fire, gave way to a seven-game winning streak as the team regained cohesion. “They’re clicking right now,” Liberty coach Tyler Marsh said Monday. “We always knew they were a championship-caliber team; it was just a matter of time adjusting to a new system and coaching staff.”

Chicago’s shortcomings in rebounding and perimeter defense may be exploited by New York. The Sky rank last in the league in rebounding, frequently failing to secure possession after defensive stops. Additionally, the team has struggled to get their big players, Kamilla Cardoso and Azura Stevens, to effectively challenge Liberty post players on the perimeter. Sabally and Jones both shoot around 40% from beyond the arc, underscoring the threat New York presents outside the paint.

Marsh emphasized the importance of applying pressure on offense and defense. “We can’t afford to sit back and let them run action freely,” he said. “We’ve got to be disruptive and allow them to feel our presence.”

The Sky have relied on ball pressure to stay competitive, but that strategy has proven inconsistent, particularly when key defender Natasha Cloud faces foul trouble. Cloud fouled out in an overtime loss last week to the Fever, highlighting the team’s fragile defensive rotation.

Chicago’s recent form remains shaky, losing seven of their last eight games while grappling with missing key players—leading scorer Rickea Jackson is out with a torn ACL, and Courtney Vandersloot and DiJonai Carrington remain unavailable. The next stretch, including difficult matchups against the Liberty and the Wings, will test whether the Sky can sustain the progress they showed in tightly contested losses to playoff-caliber teams.

“We played harder,” Diggins reflected on the last two games. “Showed a lot of grit. We know that can be our identity. We have kind of fallen short.” However, she stressed that effort alone is insufficient. The team needs to improve execution, especially on rebounding and limiting avoidable mistakes. At Monday’s practice, Diggins paused to reinforce the rebounding scheme on free throws—an effort to address a persistent weakness before facing New York.

With the Liberty poised to capitalize on any lapses, the Sky’s ability to tighten up details and assert themselves will be critical in what shapes up as a challenging test for their playoff hopes.