Fire vs Sky rematch: Portland's biggest weakness stays clear

DIRECT ANSWER: In Wednesday's Fire vs Sky rematch at Wintrust Arena, Chicago beat Portland 101-78 and the same problems OregonLive said remain clear showed up again in the box score. ESPN reported the Sky scored 56 points in the paint and 22 second-chance points, while Yahoo Sports noted Portland shot just 37.7% overall despite making 10 three-pointers.

Key Takeaways

• Chicago routed Portland 101-78 on June 24, snapping a six-game losing streak with seven players in double figures led by Skylar Diggins' 15 points.
• ESPN's recap showed Chicago scored 56 paint points and 22 second-chance points—evidence Portland struggled to finish defensive possessions.
• Yahoo Sports reported Portland shot 37.7% from the field (10-of-25 from three) and fell to 8-10 on the season.
• Chicago (5-12) can complete a three-game season sweep Friday at Wintrust Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET on ION, with Courtney Vandersloot expected back.
• Stream the finale via services like Fubo's free trial—one of several budget-friendly options we cover in our Wealth Hacks & Passive Income section.

What Happened in the Fire vs Sky Rematch?

Portland entered Wednesday's second straight game in Chicago needing a split of the back-to-back set. The Fire instead took a 101-78 loss that extended Chicago's season-series edge.

Skylar Diggins scored 15 points to lead seven Sky players in double figures, according to the ESPN game recap. Sydney Taylor and Jacy Sheldon each added 14, Kamilla Cardoso had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Azura Stevens finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Gabriela Jaquez and Aicha Coulibaly each scored 10.

Megan Gustafson paced Portland with 17 points. Sarah Ashlee Barker scored 13, and Emily Engstler and Carla Leite each added 10.

The game stayed tight into the third quarter. Gustafson hit a short floater that tied the score at 50-all with 5:56 remaining in the period. Diggins then scored eight points during a 15-of-17 Chicago run that put the Sky ahead for good.

Why Does Portland's Biggest Weakness Still Matter?

OregonLive.com framed the story around a simple question before Friday's series finale: in a rematch with Chicago, does Portland's biggest weakness remain clear? Wednesday's result suggests it does.

Chicago shot 36 of 69 (52%) from the field, per ESPN. The Sky also scored 56 points in the paint and 22 second-chance points. Those numbers point to a defense that could not consistently protect the rim or secure rebounds when it mattered most.

Portland had offensive flashes. The Fire made 10 three-pointers on 25 attempts, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports. But Portland shot just 26 of 69 (37.7%) overall and was outscored 23-16 at the free-throw line.

Yahoo Sports noted Carla Leite finished with 10 points and six assists but shot just 1-of-8 from the field. When Portland's lead guard struggles to score efficiently, the offense becomes easier to guard in the half court.

How Did Chicago Turn a Tied Game Into a Blowout?

Balance separated the Sky on Wednesday. Seven Chicago players reached double figures, and the team totaled 27 assists on 101 points, per ESPN.

Diggins added six assists to her 15 points and controlled the game after the third-quarter surge. Stevens' double-double supplied extra possessions. Cardoso's 13 points and eight rebounds helped Chicago dominate inside.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for Chicago and improved the Sky to 2-0 against Portland this season after a 98-83 road victory in the May 10 season opener, according to ESPN.

Yahoo Sports reported the Sky can now complete a three-game season sweep when the teams meet again Friday night. For a 5-12 club, that kind of head-to-head dominance over an 8-10 expansion team carries real momentum.

What Should Fans Watch for in Friday's Fire vs Sky Finale?

The series wraps up Friday, June 26, at Wintrust Arena. Yahoo Sports lists a 7:30 p.m. ET tip on ION, with streaming available through services such as Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Chicago may get another boost. Yahoo Sports reported five-time All-Star Courtney Vandersloot, out since tearing her right ACL a year ago, is expected to return Friday. Her playmaking would add another dimension to a Sky offense that already shared the ball effectively Wednesday.

Portland enters at 8-10, still competitive for an expansion franchise but needing answers on defense before the schedule tightens. Chicago sits at 5-12 but arrives with confidence after routing the Fire twice by double digits this season.

Can Portland Fix This Before the Playoff Push?

Expansion teams often take time to build defensive identity. Portland's issues against Chicago, though, were concrete rather than abstract. Allowing 22 second-chance points and 56 paint points is the kind of stat line that shows up on film as missed box-outs, slow rotations, and an inability to wall off the rim.

The Fire still have tools. Gustafson scored effectively inside, and the team's 40% three-point shooting kept the game close until Chicago's third-quarter run. Yahoo Sports lists Leite averaging 13.9 points and 5.6 assists and Diggins averaging 14.6 points and 4.7 assists for their respective teams entering the week.

Until Portland limits extra possessions and interior scoring, though, rematches like this Fire vs Sky series will keep producing the same headline. OregonLive asked whether the weakness remains clear. ESPN and Yahoo Sports supplied the numbers that make the answer hard to dispute.