Los Angeles Sparks vs Chicago Sky Picks and Prediction for Friday, July 17, 2026
Use Code SSWC The Los Angeles Sparks visit the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, July 17, 2026, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The matchup will be televised on WNBA League Pass and ION. Los Angeles is a +105 moneyline underdog, while Chicago is listed at -125. The Sky are favored by 1.5 points, and the total is set at 182.5. The Sparks enter the game at 10-13 overall and 5-6 on the road, while the Sky are 8-16 overall and 4-7 at home. ESPN Analytics gives Los Angeles a 54.3% chance to win and Chicago a 45.7% chance. Be sure to check out our free WNBA Picks.
Los Angeles Seeks Another Win Over Chicago
Los Angeles enters Friday’s contest with a 10-13 overall record and a 5-6 mark away from home. The Sparks have won two of their last five games, recently recording a 102-87 victory over Chicago and a 106-92 win over Indiana. Their three losses during that stretch came against Minnesota, Atlanta, and Seattle. Los Angeles lost 96-87 at Minnesota, 101-92 at Atlanta, and 82-64 at home against Seattle.
The Sparks average 89.1 points per game while allowing 93.7 points. They are shooting 46% from the field and producing 30.9 rebounds and 20.9 assists per contest. Los Angeles also averages 2.9 blocks and 7.7 steals. The Sparks have the better scoring average and field-goal percentage in this matchup, while their assists average is nearly identical to Chicago’s mark.
Offensive efficiency is the clearest strength for Los Angeles based on the supplied numbers. The Sparks’ 46% field-goal percentage is two percentage points better than Chicago’s 44% rate, and they average 2.3 more points per game. Los Angeles has also scored at least 87 points in four of its last five games. The concern is at the other end, where the Sparks are allowing 4.6 more points per game than they score.
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Chicago Returns Home With Momentum
Chicago carries an 8-16 overall record and a 4-7 record at Wintrust Arena into this matchup. The Sky have won two of their last five games, recently defeating Seattle 95-90 at home and Phoenix 77-66 on the road. Their losses came against Dallas, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Chicago fell 96-91 at Dallas, 102-87 at Los Angeles, and 98-90 in overtime at Las Vegas.
The Sky average 86.8 points while allowing 89.7 points per game. Chicago is shooting 44% from the field and averaging 33.5 rebounds and 20.8 assists. The Sky also produce 5.0 blocks and 6.8 steals per contest. Chicago trails Los Angeles in scoring, shooting percentage, assists, and steals, but it holds advantages in rebounding, blocks, and points allowed.
Chicago’s strongest statistical advantage is its interior defensive production. The Sky average 5.0 blocks per game compared with 2.9 for the Sparks. Chicago also collects 2.6 more rebounds per contest and allows four fewer points per game than Los Angeles. Those defensive numbers could help the Sky keep this game closer than the previous meeting, but Chicago must also improve upon the 102 points it surrendered to the Sparks on July 10.
Los Angeles Sparks vs Chicago Sky Picks and Prediction
Los Angeles Sparks vs Chicago Sky Pick
- Pick: Los Angeles Sparks +1.5
Los Angeles is my pick to cover the 1.5-point spread. The Sparks have the better overall record, a nearly even road record, and a 54.3% probability in the matchup predictor. They also defeated Chicago 102-87 one week before this rematch. Los Angeles averages more points, shoots a higher percentage from the field, and holds a small advantage in assists. Chicago is coming off a victory, but the Sparks’ offensive numbers and their 15-point win in the previous meeting make the road underdog the preferred side.
Los Angeles Sparks vs Chicago Sky Total Pick
- Pick: Over 182.5
I am taking the over 182.5. The previous meeting between these teams produced 189 combined points, finishing above Friday’s listed total. Los Angeles has scored at least 87 points in four of its last five games, while Chicago has reached at least 90 in three of its last five. The Sparks allow 93.7 points per game, and the Sky allow 89.7. Those defensive averages combine for 183.4 points, which sits just above the total. With both teams recently participating in several higher-scoring games, I see enough support for the over.
Final Score Prediction
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks 94 – Chicago Sky 91
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