Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Prediction, Injury Report, Predicted Lineups, Where to Watch, Odds | WNBA 2025

The WNBA will witness its two big squads ready to face each other in their first WNBA 2025 regular season matchup. It is the Indiana Fever hosting the Chicago Sky on their home ground, testing the mettle of the visitors. This fixture is expected to be a thriller since both squads seem strong, with the Fever having the edge due to their three consecutive wins in the preseason and the presence of Caitlin Clark on their side. Despite being a guard, she is an additional forward and rebounder for the team, playing like an all-rounder at an elite level.

On the other hand, there is the Chicago Sky with star players like Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Ariel Atkins, and Kia Nurse. Almost all of these starting five players contributed more than 10 points and 2 rebounds against the Lynx during the preseason game. However, Sky needs someone to anchor them in the final quarters of the game. Therefore, they might have to shuffle their team combination, as such, one of these starting five leads the bench players and gets the scoreboard running.

Here is a preview of the regular season game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, which is expected to take place on soon, with a huge fan base of the Indiana Fever in attendance.

Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Game Preview

Despite Caitlin Clark's breakout performance, the Indiana Fever could not make it past the first round of the playoffs in the 2024 season. Even their regular season record could not stand up to the mark, considering the hype around them. They had a 20-20 win-loss record last season while maintaining a winning percentage of 50%. The Connecticut Sun did not even give them a chance to make a return since they swept the Fever in the first round of the postseason series. Caitlin Clark led the scoring end with 19.2 points per game, while Aliyah Boston anchored the team defensively with her 8.9 rebounds per game.

The Chicago Sky had a worse season than the Fever with a 13-27 record in the 2024 regular season and recorded a 32.5% winning percentage. They finished 10th in the overall rankings and missed the playoffs. The major reason why they could not even make it to the postseason despite drafting college stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso was the continuous cycle of injured players. They had to rotate the lineup again and again, eventually resulting in an unstable team that performed in flashes. With a much better squad on their end, it might be a tight matchup with the Indiana Fever on May 17.

Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Injury Report

The Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever have concerns about minor injuries troubling their key players in the first regular-season game for both squads in WNBA 2025. It will occur on May 17, and there is still time for these players who are expected to recover by the evening of the matchup. If everything goes well, both teams will play with their full-fledged squad of key players. Here is a team-focused injury report for the Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever fixture that is supposed to happen in Indiana on Saturday.

Chicago Sky Injury Report

Due to unexplained reasons, 2025 WNBA draft round 1 pick 10 for the Chicago Sky, Ajsa Sivka, will not be joining the squad for the 2025 season. As a rookie, she will be out for the whole season and might make a return to the roster in the 2026 season. Apart from that, Sky is also missing their star guard Courtney Vandersloot, who is being evaluated by the team's medical staff on a day-to-day basis, as per ESPN. If she is fit to play in the first regular season game of 2025 for the team, the tables might turn for Sky.

Indiana Fever Injury Report

In the preseason game against the Atlanta Dream, Fever player Sophie Cunningham could not play for long since she departed to the sidelines after 5 points and 2 rebounds on the floor. It seemed like she was having issues with her ankle. For now, she is out of the squad, and it's still a game-time decision for her. Moreover, bench forward for the Fever, Damiris Dantas, is also expected to be out of the game against the Sky for an undisclosed reason. But she is also observed on a day-to-day basis and might make a return on May 17.

Predicted Lineups

In the first regular season clash of the Indiana Fever facing the Chicago Sky, the powerhouse teams are expected to kick off the game with the following starting five for their Saturday clash at the Gainfield Bridgehouse arena, Indianapolis. Considering the injury reports and the available players, here are the names from both teams who can start the game.

Chicago Sky Predicted Lineups

The Chicago Sky team is expected to come up with the following starting five combination for their first WNBA regular season game of 2025. Therefore, we have tabulated the names for the May 17 matchup:

Indiana Fever Predicted Lineups

The Indiana Fever might come up with the following winning combination for their team on the Saturday showdown against the Chicago Sky on May 17. It is the same lineup that won them the preseason game when they last clashed horns with the Atlanta Dream squad. Here is an expected tabular breakdown of Fever's lineup:

Where to Watch Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever

On the second day of the WNBA regular season, three games are supposed to occur, and it will start with the heated clash between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. Both teams have been strong in their preseason run. But the Indiana Fever has won all three games while the Sky has lost the most recent game against the Minnesota Lynx. For those who want to witness the Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark showdown in Indianapolis, they can watch the fixture on the following platforms, complemented with information about the venue and timing of the matchup.

• Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
• Local TV: ABC
• Stream: WNBA League Pass, ESPN+, Fubo, Disney+

Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Prediction: Who Will Win?

Coming to the match prediction of the Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever matchup, there is a 70% chance that the Fever will win their first regular-season game in 2025 against the Sky. The reason for that is the depth that bench strength carried for the Indiana Fever roster. It does not mean the Chicago Sky team does not have big names. However, they are too reliant on their starting five, and there is no breakout performance from Sky sub players, even on a good day for the team.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever have dominated the game throughout the quarters with Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham's off-the-bench performances. In their first matchup against the Washington Mystics during the preseason games, Sophie tallied 21 points and 8 rebounds while Lexie recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. In their latest preseason game against the Atlanta Dream, Lexie stood out again with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Brianna Turner anchored the team defensively with her 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Considering all the matchup combinations and past performances from both teams, there are chances of the Indiana Fever winning the first matchup of the 2025 regular season against the Chicago Sky at their home arena.

Our Prediction: Chicago Sky 76- 86 Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever win by 10 points

Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Betting Odds

Coming to the betting odds, since the Indiana Fever are the favorites to win the matchup against the Chicago Sky, they cannot give much profit, as it is expected to win $100 on a $300 bet. However, Sky is the underdog team here. So if it wins the game with their exceptional performance from the starting five, there are estimates that the bet might generate $240 on a $100 bet. There is a bigger risk there, but the profit is also big. Here are the betting odds for the Chicago Sky vs the Indiana Fever, including the moneyline details and Over/Under record.

Odds: Fever by 10.5 points
Over/Under: 167.5
Moneyline: Fever -300 | Sky +240