Previews: Chicago faces rematch with Las Vegas, Dallas fighting for playoffs

Sunday afternoon the Chicago Sky (14-14) will host the Las Vegas Aces (20-7) in a rematch of their Thursday night matchup where the Aces came out victorious, 90-83. This is the premier matchup of the day as every Aces/Sky game has been must-see TV ever since the rivalry escalated in 2019 with the famous Hamby Heave.

This game isn’t just one that features a budding rivalry. Both teams have a lot to play for as the Aces are trying to secure a top-two seed and a double bye in the playoffs while the Sky are trying maintain the sixth seed. The Sky will need to win the rebounding battle and keep turnovers low if they want to win the rematch. The Aces were magnificent offensively on Thursday and will be trying to replicate that performance. If the Aces can slow Candace Parker, that’d be ideal for them. She was absolutely dominant on Thursday, scoring 30 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. She brought the Sky back from a 19-point deficit and made the game a back-and-forth affair in the fourth.

We’ll see who comes out victorious in this new chapter of the Aces/Sky saga.

The second game on Sunday features the Dallas Wings (12-15) trying secure their spot in the playoffs as they face the Atlanta Dream (6-20). This one is also a rematch of a game played on Thursday. The game was competitive, but the Dream were unable to close the game out and lost by a narrow margin, 72-68.

The Dream have struggled to close games out all year. In their ten games decided by five points or less, they are 3-7. If they could have just taken a handful of those games, they’d still have a realistic shot at making the playoffs.

The Dream were right there with a chance to win on Thursday, so it’s not an automatic win for Dallas. The Wings will have to shoot much better and can’t have an offensive halt like they did in the third quarter where they only scored 11 points. The Dream will need to get another set of great performances from Courtney Williams and Monique Billings to win. Rematches are always difficult for the winner because it’s so hard to win back-to-back games against the same opponent. We’ll see if the Dream can win and end the 11-game losing streak they are currently on.

Game information

Las Vegas Aces (20-7) vs. Chicago Sky (14-14)

When: Sunday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL

How to watch: ABC

Sky injury report: Astou Ndour-Fall (questionable; foot)

Aces injury report: Dearica Hamby (out; left ankle sprain), Angel McCoughtry (out; right ACL), Liz Cambage (out; health and safety protocols)

Keys to the matchup: The Sky have to win the rebounding battle and keep turnovers at a minimum. They also have to try and contain the Aces’ offensive firepower. In Thursday’s game, it seemed Las Vegas could make a basket whenever they wanted to. The Sky have to make stops if they want to win the rematch. The Aces need to try and contain Candace Parker. She was clearly the best player on the court during the first encounter and nearly led a comeback victory. If the Aces can make Parker look like a star instead of a superstar, they could come out with a victory in Chicago.

Atlanta Dream (6-20) vs. Dallas Wings (12-15)

When: Sunday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: College Park Center, Arlington, TX

How to Watch: CBS Sports Network, BSSW+,

Key to the matchup: The Wings have to shoot better. They shot 36% from the field on Thursday and struggled to score in the second half, which nearly cost them the game. The Dream need to win the rebounding battle and will have to rely on their star Courtney Williams to be the dynamic scorer and leader she’s been all season.

Dream injury report: Tiffany Hayes (probable; right knee), Candice Dupree (probable; back), Tianna Hawkins (out; right foot), Crystal Bradford (out; left foot) Chennedy Carter (out; suspended), Cheyenne Parker (out for season; personal)

Wings injury report: Satou Sabally (out; Achilles), Isabelle Harrison (out; health and safety protocols)