The Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky met in Chicago on Friday night with both teams still trying to steady uneven seasons. The matchup came after Los Angeles beat Chicago on July 10, and the rematch carried extra interest because both sides entered under.500 and dealing with injuries.
That combination has made this a difficult season for both teams, who have been underwhelming in 2026. The Sparks came in with a 3-8 mark, while Chicago was 1-7 in seven of 16 games. Los Angeles also has a more recent scoring win over the Sky, putting up 102 points in that July 10 meeting.
Hamby’s rebound profile stands out
Dearica Hamby has been one of the most reliable rebounders in the matchup. The Sparks forward was averaging 7.6 rebounds per game and had reached at least eight boards in 11 of her 23 games. That made her rebound prop a natural angle heading into Friday night’s matchup in Chicago.
Chicago’s rebounding struggles helped sharpen that focus. The Sky had been pretty awful on the glass, even while showing a better record against the West than against the Eastern Conference. Against teams in the East, Chicago had not been nearly as effective, and that imbalance has been part of the larger picture around the roster.
What it means for the rematch
For Los Angeles, the biggest question is whether it can build on the earlier win and get more consistency from a roster that has also had to deal with injuries. Rickea Jackson was acquired in an offseason trade with L.A., adding another layer to a team still trying to find the right mix.
For Chicago, the challenge is simple: compete better on the glass and find enough stability to turn around a season that has not gone to plan. If the Sky cannot control rebounds, Hamby and the Sparks have a clear path to repeat some of the success they showed in the first meeting.
