It’s the first Sunday of NFL football, but apparently nobody told the WNBA. They scheduled an exciting five-game WNBA slate that will help shape the postseason bracket, including a matchup between the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky.
Keep reading for my preview Wings vs Sky predictions for Sunday, September 8.
Dallas Wings vs. Chicago Sky Prediction
I expect Chicago to be extremely sluggish without Angel Reese, and Dallas' offense is red-hot recently. Therefore, I'm backing the Wings to cover the spread (-4.5).
Wings vs. Sky Pick: Wings -4.5 (-110) at BetMGM
Wings vs. Sky Odds
| Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 171 -112 / -108 | -192 |
| Sky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 171 -112 / -108 | +154 |
Dallas Wings: Too Little, Too Late?
Since Satou Sabally made her season debut nine games ago, the reigning Most Improved Player has averaged 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on a true shooting percentage that’s 5.3% above league average. Dallas produced 108.6 points per 100 possessions over that span – the third best mark behind only Minnesota and Indiana.
Although the Wings are far better with Sabally back, it may be too little too late. They sit three games back of a playoff spot and need to jump three teams in order to secure it. A win against the Sky here is essentially a must if Dallas wants to reach the postseason.
They will be at full strength besides reserve center Stephanie Soares, who holds a questionable tag.
Chicago Sky: The Impact of Angel Reese's Injury
Chicago took care of business against Los Angeles on Friday night. Top scorer Chennedy Carter made her return from a four-game absence and dropped a near triple-double: 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Unfortunately, the victory came at great cost. Rookie Angel Reese hurt her wrist during the contest, and it was reported on Saturday night that she’s out for the year.
Reese’s injury could not have come at a worse time for the Sky because they are currently tied for the final playoff spot with six regular season games remaining. Chicago must mentally lock in despite this cloud hanging over them and play their best basketball to close out the season.
Wings vs. Sky: Bet Dallas to Cover Spread
Betting Pick & Prediction
It’s Chicago’s first game of the season without Reese on the court, and they will see just how valuable her contributions are.
The Sky rank 11th in both effective field goal percentage and points per jump shot. Even when removing Reese’s inefficient attempts from the equation, they still struggle mightily. Reese’s offensive rebounding talent provided plenty of second chance points for a broken offense, and her hustle also added a sense of gravity to the unit that defenses had to respect. Plus, the rookie ran the floor and was a decent transition threat.
Defensively, Reese competently defended the pick-and-roll, forced turnovers, and cleaned the glass. Her absence is a huge loss versus Dallas’ fast-paced offense.
Overall, I expect the Sky to be scrambling here, and the Wings are too explosive offensively for Chicago to successfully adjust on the fly. Take Dallas against the spread.
Wings vs. Sky Pick: Wings -4.5 (-110)
