New York Liberty vs Chicago Sky Picks and Prediction for Tuesday August 18, 2026

The New York Liberty visit the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET on August 18, with WWOR-TV and Liberty Live providing coverage. New York enters at 22-14 overall and 10-9 on the road, while Chicago is 13-22 overall and 8-9 at home. The Liberty have won four of their last five games, including two straight, while the Sky are 2-3 over their last five. New York has also won both previous meetings this season. The Liberty are 4.5-point favorites with the total set at 182.5. Check out our free WNBA picks for more basketball predictions and betting analysis.

New York Continues to Push Up the Eastern Conference

New York enters Tuesday at 22-14 and has won four of its last five games. The Liberty recently defeated Connecticut 82-75 and Los Angeles 85-81, with their only loss during the five-game stretch coming against Indiana. New York has also already beaten Chicago twice this season, although both meetings were decided by a single point.

The Liberty average 90.4 points per game while allowing 87.1. They shoot 46% from the field while averaging 35.2 rebounds and 20.9 assists. New York's +3.3 average scoring margin is a significant advantage compared with Chicago's negative scoring differential.

New York has been the more consistent team across the season, but laying 4.5 points is more difficult than simply picking the Liberty to win. Both earlier meetings were decided by one point, and New York is dealing with multiple absences entering this matchup.

Chicago Has Been Competitive in This Matchup

Chicago enters at 13-22 after earning an 82-80 road victory in its most recent game. The Sky are 2-3 over their last five, with their other victory during that stretch coming by a 95-88 score. Chicago has also remained competitive against New York this season despite losing both meetings, falling 96-95 and 95-94.

The Sky average 87.5 points while allowing 89.9 per game. Chicago shoots 44% from the field and averages 33.1 rebounds, 21.4 assists, 4.7 blocks, and 7.3 steals. The Sky actually hold advantages over New York in assists, blocks, and steals.

Chicago's 13-22 record makes the Sky difficult to trust outright, but the previous head-to-head results make the points attractive. New York has been unable to create separation in either meeting, and Chicago now gets another opportunity at home.

New York Liberty vs Chicago Sky Picks and Prediction

Pick: Chicago Sky +4.5

Chicago +4.5 is the preferred side. New York is clearly having the better season and should have the higher probability of winning outright, but the spread creates a different question. The Liberty's first two victories over Chicago came by exactly one point each. With Chicago getting 4.5 points at home, there is enough cushion to back the Sky while still respecting New York's overall advantage.

Pick: Over 182.5

The over is the second pick. New York averages 90.4 points and Chicago averages 87.5, while the teams combine to allow 177 points per game. More importantly, the previous meetings produced 191 and 189 total points. Chicago's last five games have also included totals of 162, 162, 185, 176, and 183 points. With both previous head-to-head meetings comfortably clearing Tuesday's number, Over 182.5 gets the call.