Sky's Candace Parker Named 2021 AP Female Athlete of the Year
Dec 29, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 6: Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky smiles during the game against the Connecticut Sun during Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA Semifinals on October 6, 2021 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Associated Press has named Candace Parker its Female Athlete of the Year for 2021.
Parker ended a 13-year run with the Los Angeles Sparks and signed with the Chicago Sky in the hope of bringing a WNBA championship to her hometown franchise. The 35-year-old did just that as the Sky beat the Phoenix Mercury in four games in the WNBA Finals.
"There was something about going to where you started playing the game," she told the AP's Doug Feinberg. "It's exciting to play in front of the people who first saw me pick up a basketball. To win at home, I'm just now recognizing it a little bit. How special that really is. Something that is top on my list."
Parker averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the regular season with Chicago.
In the team's title-clinching victory, she dropped a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double. Beyond hitting clutch shots, her leadership was invaluable to help Chicago remain even-keeled before outscoring the Mercury 26-11 in the fourth quarter.
It was the exact ingredient that was missing for a Sky squad that had shown promise but failed to advance past the second round in its last two playoff appearances.
For Parker, winning a second title was a legacy-affirming achievement. The Athletic conducted a poll of WNBA players in 2019, and Parker received the most votes for the most overrated player.
The Naperville, Illinois, native might be a two-time MVP, six-time All-Star and a future Hall of Famer, but her greatness has been taken for granted at times. The 2021 season was a reminder that she's a generational talent.
Parker's legacy in Chicago could extend well beyond her tenure there whenever she retires from the WNBA.
Prior to her signing, the Sky weren't a major draw for marquee stars. Sylvia Fowles requested a trade in 2015, and Elena Delle Donne engineered an exit in 2017. Parker could reverse that trend for the organization.
More than that, she could help ignite the city of Chicago as a major market for the WNBA. According to Across the Timeline, the Sky were sixth in average attendance in 2018 and 2019, their first two years at Wintrust Arena. They climbed to second in 2021.
Everybody loves a winner, and the 2021 championship could bring in a number of fans who had previously failed to jump on the Sky bandwagon.
Sky's Candace Parker Announces She's Expecting Baby With Wife Anna Petrakova
Dec 14, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 19: Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky waves to fans during the 2021 Chicago Sky Championship Parade on October 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Chicago Sky star Candace Parker announced she is expecting a baby with her wife, Anna Petrakova, in an Instagram post Tuesday.
"2 years ago, I got to marry my best friend in front of our close family and friends," Parker wrote. "My heart could have exploded. I cried like a baby….To know me or you is to know our love. This journey hasn’t been easy. I am proud of us and what we have built and who we have grown to become both individually and together. Thank you for always loving Lailaa as your own, being my calm, my support, my voice of reason, my laughs, my cuddles, my dance in the rain, my happy, my home. ... We’ve always dreamed of growing our family….it’s surreal that we now have a baby on the way! Lailaa is pumped to be a big sister! You couldn’t be more beautiful! Glowing, while understanding that I have to constantly love, kiss, and talk to your belly AND yes… play Jay-Z for the baby (Goose knows “Song Cry” already by heart!) I can’t wait to embark on this next chapter in life with you!"
Candace Parker announces her wife, Anna Petrakova, is pregnant ❤️ @HighlightHER
Parker and Petrakova's marital status was also not public information until Tuesday. The six-time All-Star was previously married to former NBA player Shelden Williams, with whom she has a daughter.
She and Williams split up in 2016.
Sky Troll Mercury's Diana Taurasi By Bringing Broken Door to WNBA Championship Parade
Oct 19, 2021
Chicago Sky's Diamond DeShields center, and Kahleah Copper left,akong with teammates celebrate after defeating the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals to become champions Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
The Chicago Sky aren't done beating down the Phoenix Mercury just yet.
The Sky trolled Diana Taurasi during Tuesday's championship parade by bringing and displaying the door that the Mercury star allegedly broke at Wintrust Arena.
The Mercury declined to participate in a media session following their Game 4 loss to Chicago, and Taurasi gave only a tongue-in-cheek response to reports she broke a door in the locker room when asked by media this week.
"There were a lot of doors in there," Taurasi said, per Meredith Cash of Business Insider.
While there's no way of knowing whether Taurasi actually took down the door, it's pretty clear the Sky players view the broken door as a symbol of their triumph.
Allie Quigley Drops 26 as Sky Beat Mercury in Game 4 to Win 2021 WNBA Finals
Oct 17, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 6: The Chicago Sky celebrates during the game against the Connecticut Sun during Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA Semifinals on October 6, 2021 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Candace Parker capped off the perfect homecoming.
The Chicago Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 in Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA Finals to win their first championship Sunday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Candace Parker decided to go home this season to play for her hometown team and put on for her city.
In just one season, she brought the city of Chicago a championship.
Parker tied the game at 72 points apiece after hitting a three-pointer with 1:57 on the clock. A pair of buckets from Stefanie Dolson put the Sky ahead by four points inside the final minute.
Courtney Vandersloot put on the finishing touches with a turnaround inside.
In explaining why she signed with the Sky, the longtime Los Angeles Sparks star said the allure of returning to the Chicagoland area was obvious and that "winning a championship back home would mean so much." Now, Parker has definitively etched her name into Chicago sports history.
Notable Performers
Brittney Griner, C, Mercury: 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block
Skylar Diggins-Smith, SG, Mercury: 16 points, two rebounds, eight assists, one block
Allie Quigley, SG, Sky: 26 points, five assists
Candace Parker, PF, Sky: 16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, four steals, one block
Sky Seal the Deal with Late Charge
One way to counteract Brittney Griner is to stretch the floor on offense and force her to exert a lot of energy on defense. The Sky didn't have that weapon in their repertoire in Game 4. As a team, they shot 7-of-25 from beyond the arc.
Despite its poor shooting, Chicago continued to hang around, and Allie Quigley was a big reason why.
A floater by Diggins-Smith took at the end of the third quarter took the air out of the home crowd a bit. A pair of threes from Quigley early in the fourth brought the home crowd back to life.
Quigley just basically told Holly she was about to go shoot 3s and make them 😂
The Sky continued knocking on the door, and it was fitting that Parker hit what was probably the biggest shot of the game. Parker's experience was critical for them in the late stages because her teammates could feed off her composure and even-keeled mentality.
That was how Chicago outscored the Mercury 26-11 in the fourth quarter.
For years, the Sky were a franchise that saw their best players leave, most notably Sylvia Fowles and Elena Delle Donne. The organization wasn't a draw for marquee free agents.
Parker turned that narrative around last offseason, and the Sky's championship could be a transformative moment.
Griner Shows out in Losing Effort
The Mercury getting blown out in Game 3 coincided with a somewhat muted performance from Griner. The seven-time All-Star had 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting and two rebounds in 30 minutes on the floor.
Chicago did its best to limit Griner's impact Sunday, in particular forcing her to receive the ball farther away from the basket than she's used to operating. This sequence in the second quarter illustrated how well that plan worked.
Mercury 44, Sky 37 at the half. Phoenix has controlled the tempo throughout led by the inside scoring of Brittney Griner. Sky need to deny her post touches and majorly up the pace or this series is going back to Phoenix.
Griner has built a Hall of Fame-worthy resume, and her talent has rarely been in doubt. But the absence of a WNBA MVP in her trophy cabinet is emblematic of the perception she hasn't utilized her gifts over a full season. Games like this serve as a reminder of how she can be one of the most dominant players in the league.
Griner couldn't do it all on her own and got some vital support from the rest of Phoenix's Big Three. Skylar Diggins-Smith in particular had arguably her best game of the Finals.
The 5'9" playmaker appeared to have found some extra motivation from a Sky fan seated courtside.
A guy by Chance is quickly becoming Wintrust Arena’s (worse version of) Spike Lee. Having serious words with Diggins-Smith and then gave her middle finger as she went to her bench.
Still, one image may stick in Diggins-Smith's mind and it's the open layup she missed at the 2:59 mark of the fourth quarter. The Mercury were reeling, and that sequence summed up how they couldn't deliver a knockout blow to the Sky.
Kahleah Copper Drops 22 as Sky Beat Mercury in Game 3 to Take 2-1 WNBA Finals Lead
Oct 16, 2021
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Kahleah Copper #2 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 13, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Chicago Sky are one win away from their first-ever championship after defeating the visiting Phoenix Mercury 86-50 in Game 3 of the best-of-five WNBA Finals on Friday at Wintrust Arena.
Kahleah Copper was the catalyst for Chicago's effort, dropping 20 of her game-high 22 points in the first half en route the emphatic victory. She nearly outscored the Mercury by herself with the Sky beating Phoenix 46-24 at halftime.
That intermission margin tied for the largest in WNBA Finals history. It just so happened to tie the 2014 Mercury's mark against the Sky, who got revenge seven years later.
The @chicagosky have a 22-point lead at halftime, tied for the largest halftime lead in WNBA Finals history.
Chicago returns the favor, as it matches Game 1 of the 2014 Finals, in which the Mercury led the Sky 42-20 at the half. pic.twitter.com/mphCoGhCeY
Copper ultimately scored nearly one point a minute, as she played just 24 minutes on the night.
The Sky's defense also came to play, holding the Mercury to 8-of-34 shooting in the first half and 16-of-62 (25.8 percent) overall.
Chicago cruised in the second half, doubling up Phoenix's fourth-quarter point total (24-12) en route to the 36-point blowout.
Across the Timeline showcased the Sky's historically great performance with these stats:
Some records tonight...
- Largest margin of victory in WNBA Playoffs history (36) - Tied the record for most players scoring in a WNBA Finals game (11, just the 2nd time in league history) - Lowest FG% for a team in WNBA Finals history (3rd in Playoffs) by the Mercury: 25.8%
Sky G Diamond DeShields: 11 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds
Mercury C Brittney Griner: 16 points
Mercury G Diana Taurasi: 5 points, 2 steals
Mercury G Skylar Diggins-Smith: 7 points, 3 assists
Copper, Chicago Put on Clinic
The Sky put on the type of performance that coaches can show their players as a model for how to play perfect basketball.
Sure, the box score would literally imply otherwise. They committed 13 turnovers and missed half of their 60 field goals.
Still, the Sky realistically couldn't have played any better, and their efforts were even more admirable against two of the game's all-time greats in Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
Gritty, aggressive defense led to crisp, intelligent passing and tough, clutch finishes. This bucket from Copper serves as an example, as an Allie Quigley steal led to a Candace Parker no-look dish, which set up the hoop-and-harm.
It helps Cooper to have a nightly double-double threat in Parker down low, a dime machine in Vandersloot and a sharpshooter in Quigley around her, but the 2021 WNBA All-Star is pretty great in her own right.
She was just an unstoppable force Friday, much like in Game 1 when she dropped a double-double for the road win. You can find her first-half highlight reel here:
With Cooper and Co. firing on all cylinders, the Sky will now look to close out the WNBA Finals. We know they'll have a loud, sellout crowd cheering their every move if Game 3 is any indication. The crowd was amped pregame and continued their enthusiasm through four quarters.
Parker spoke about how hyped everyone was pregame, and Chance the Rapper got everyone going too.
"The entire city showed up. I mean I pulled up to the game and people were lined up 2-3 hours before."@Candace_Parker on the ELECTRIC Chicago crowd 🔊
The Sky went just 16-16 this regular season, although the team went 15-8 with Parker on the court. Truthfully, the Parker-led Sky were one of the best regular-season teams in the league, and now the team is giving the rest of the WNBA serious problems with her dominating the post.
Now Parker, Copper and Co. look to close this one out. The clear edge goes to Chicago, who will benefit from the raucous crowd environment as the Sky hope for their first WNBA title.
Everything Goes Wrong for Phoenix
Mercury center Brittney Griner opened Game 3 with a 17-foot jumper to give Phoenix a 2-0 lead.
That's the first and only time Phoenix ever held a lead as the Sky overwhelmed the Mercury on both ends.
Phoenix had 19 turnovers and never scored more than 14 points in any single quarter. Every Phoenix player finished with a minus-10 on the court or worse. Diana Taurasi shot 1-of-10 (1-of-8 from three-point range).
If you take out Griner's 7-of-17 shooting night, Phoenix made just 20 percent (9-of-45) of its field goals. No other player outside Griner had more than two field goals. Courtney Vandersloot had just one fewer assist (10) than the entire Mercury team (11).
It was an uncharacteristically bad performance for Phoenix, who had scored fewer than 60 points just one other time during the regular and postseason.
The only good news for the Mercury is that they aren't going home. If they find a way to win Game 4, then they'll have a shot to clinch the WNBA title in a winner-take-all Game 5.
However, this was still a bitterly disappointing outing for a team that was riding a massive wave of momentum after taking down the Las Vegas Aces in a phenomenal semifinals series. It'll have to start at the defensive end for Phoenix, as the team has just not gotten it done there all series against Chicago.
If Phoenix somehow cracks the code to stop the Sky's talented, versatile offense, though, then the silver lining will appear.
What's Next?
Chicago will host Phoenix for Game 4 on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Game 5, if necessary, will go down at Phoenix's Footprint Center on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Diana Taurasi, Mercury Even WNBA Finals 1-1 With Overtime Win vs. Sky
Oct 14, 2021
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 13, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Phoenix Mercury refuse to die.
Phoenix evened the 2021 WNBA Finals up at one game apiece with a 91-86 victory Wednesday at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
With the game tied at 74, Brittney Griner backed down Azura Stevens and hit a turnaround jumper inside to give the Mercury the lead. Kahleah Copper and Allie Quigley both missed opportunities to get the Sky level again on the other end.
Shey Peddy's layup added to the Mercury's lead before Copper got three points the hard way to make it a one-point game, 78-77. Peddy then made only one of two free throws, which left an opening for Courtney Vandersloot's game-tying layup with 4.4 seconds on the clock.
Phoenix quickly jumped out to a lead in overtime. Stevens tied things up, only for Diana Taurasi to hit a three with 1:24 on the clock. That was the turning point in the extra frame.
To get to this point, the Mercury already had to win two winner-take-all contests and recover after losing Game 1 to the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. That resilience is carrying over into the Finals.
Notable Peformers
Brittney Griner, C, Mercury: 29 points, nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks
Diana Taurasi, PG, Mercury: 20 points, four rebounds, one steal, two blocks
Kahleah Copper, SF, Sky: 15 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal
Courtney Vandersloot, PG, Sky: 20 points, 14 assists, five steals, one block
Griner Digs Deep to Inspire Mercury
The Sky don't have much of an answer inside for Brittney Griner, which is the case for every team in the league. Amid an uncharacteristically quiet night from Taurasi until the late stages, Griner put Phoenix's offense on her shoulders.
Brittney Griner has all of Phoenix's 10 points ... from all over the floor.
The ninth-year vet has just been different this year. She left the bubble early, didn't play overseas, focused on therapy this offseason and as a result, came into this season with a new focus. pic.twitter.com/qhUg2BrW0l
Phoenix needed her to be a one-woman attack. In addition to Taurasi playing a level below her usual, Skylar Diggins-Smith struggled, finishing 5-of-18 en route to an 13-point effort.
Sophie Cunningham did her best to serve as the X-factor Phoenix required in support of Griner as well.
A calf injury kept Cunningham out of the Mercury's last three games. On Monday, the 6'1" wing left little doubt as to her status for Game 2.
Heading into the WNBA Finals, the looming question for the Mercury was whether they'd have the energy necessary to finish the job. Cunningham was slowed by her calf problem, Taurasi has been battling a nagging ankle injury, and a torn ACL knocked Kia Nurse out for the rest of the playoffs.
Falling down into an 0-2 hole likely would've been a fatal blow.
Quigley Goes Cold
Candace Parker will be the sentimental favorite, but Copper might have strengthened her Finals MVP case Wednesday night in the event Chicago pulls through.
She may only be 6'1", but Copper was excellent at working the angles to get around box-outs and fighting for possession underneath the glass.
Kahleah Copper is the best rebounder in Chicago since Rodman
Game 2 was also another playmaking masterclass from Vandersloot. The three-time All-Star reads the game differently, and her ability to thread the needle is almost unsurpassed in league history.
.@Sloot22 snags the steal and dishes the COLD DIME
After shooting 3-of-10 from beyond the arc in Game 1, Allie Quigley had another night to forget, though. The three-time three-point champion shot 3-of-12 from the perimeter, somewhat dulling the effect of her 19 points.
What's Next?
The Mercury and Sky return to action Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Game 3 tips at 9 p.m. ET.
Candace Parker, Sky Beat Diana Taurasi, Mercury in Game 1 of 2021 WNBA Finals
Oct 10, 2021
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury fouls Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky at Footprint Center on October 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Mattina/Getty Images)
In Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, the Chicago Sky earned a 91-77 road win over the Phoenix Mercury to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Six players scored in double figures for Chicago in the victory, led by Kahleah Copper's 21 points.
Chicago star Candace Parker, who is in her first year with her hometown team after spending her first 13 WNBA seasons in Los Angeles, had 16 points and eight rebounds.
Brittney Griner had 20 points for Phoenix in the loss.
The last time either team reached the finals was in 2014, when they faced each other. The Sky were swept by the Mercury in that series 3-0. Phoenix also won all three games in this year's regular-season series, but Parker missed the first two games while recovering from an ankle injury.
Even more impressive was the Sky's work on defense. Chicago's activity stifled Phoenix and forced it into uncharacteristic turnovers. The Mercury totaled 11 first-half turnovers, the most in any half this season.
The Sky seemed to find a winning formula when they stopped double-teaming Mercury center Brittney Griner and stayed home on the perimeter players, forcing them to shoot contested three-pointers. Phoenix went 0-of-5 from deep in the quarter. Chicago ended the second quarter on a 17-2 run and took a 46-35 lead into halftime.
The Mercury attempted to claw back in the second half and cut the deficit to seven points, but the Sky had an answer and stopped every rally.
When Chicago watches film of Sunday's game, the team's performance in the second quarter will likely receive a ton of focus. If the Sky can match the effort from that quarter on both ends of the floor, they have a good chance to earn another road win Wednesday.
Diana Taurasi Doomed by Fouls and Turnovers
Mercury star Diana Taurasi had an uncharacteristic showing in Sunday's game. Despite scoring 17 points, Taurasi looked out of sorts throughout the contest and committed six turnovers and five fouls.
Taurasi's frustration boiled over in the third quarter when she picked up a technical foul. She was fouled by Chicago's Diamond DeShields while shooting a three-pointer but brought her hand down on DeShields' face and broke her goggles. The play was reviewed and Taurasi was determined to have made an unnatural motion, resulting in the technical.
The Mercury had a quick turnaround after topping the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals Friday. But Taurasi didn't use fatigue as an excuse, saying they were just being outplayed by the Sky.
"We're not tired, we're just getting our ass kicked right now."
Phoenix emptied its bench with a little over four minutes left to play, pulling Taurasi along with Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner.
The Mercury finished with 18 turnovers Sunday. Phoenix will have to play more efficiently in Game 2 if it hopes to avoid a 0-2 hole.
What's Next?
Both the Sky and Mercury will have a couple of days of rest before returning to action for Game 2 on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
WNBA Finals 2021: TV, Live Stream Schedule for Sky vs. Mercury
Oct 9, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 6: Stefanie Dolson #31 and Allie Quigley #14 of the Chicago Sky celebrate after winning Game Four of the 2021 WNBA Semifinals on October 6, 2021 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2021 WNBA Finals matchup is set.
The Phoenix Mercury will face the Chicago Sky with the championship on the line after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in Friday's win-or-go-home Game 5 of their memorable semifinals series.
Chicago was sitting back and awaiting the winner after handling the Connecticut Sun in four games in their semifinals matchup.
Here is a look at the schedule for the Finals showdown between Chicago and Phoenix.
2021 WNBA Finals Schedule
Game 1 in Phoenix: Sunday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC
Game 2 in Phoenix: Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 3 in Chicago: Friday, Oct. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN 2
Game 4 in Chicago*: Sunday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC
Game 5 in Phoenix*: Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN 2
The Sky already made history just by reaching the Finals. While they struggled with consistency throughout the regular season on the way to a .500 record and the No. 6 seed, things have clicked in the playoffs as they became the lowest seed to reach the Finals in the current playoff format.
Talent was never a question, and the version of Chicago many expected coming into the campaign has arrived just in time.
Candace Parker is the unquestioned leader as a legend who already has two MVP Awards, a championship, a WNBA Finals MVP, two Olympic gold medals, a Defensive Player of the Year Award, nine All-WNBA selections and six All-Star selections on her resume.
She was at her best in the closeout game against the Sun with 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
It’s always good to be from Chicago, but this year is especially sweet. Congratulations to the @ChicagoSky for making it to the WNBA finals, and to the legend, @Candace_Parker, for making all of us proud. We’ll be rooting for you. https://t.co/yW4d1OUYpF
It is far from a one-player show, though, as Courtney Vandersloot is the floor general who is a triple-double threat, Allie Quigley is the sharpshooter on the outside, Kahleah Copper is a go-to scorer who can blow past defenders, and the combination of Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Azura Stevens and Dana Evans provides important depth.
This is no ordinary No. 6 seed the Mercury will have to deal with, and they have momentum after eliminating the top-seeded Sun in rather commanding fashion.
Fortunately for Phoenix, it has plenty of momentum on its side as well after advancing in a pressure-packed elimination game Friday.
It looked as if the Aces were going to the Finals when they went on a 14-0 run to seize control of the game in the second half.
Even with Brittney Griner in the frontcourt for Phoenix, Las Vegas used its overwhelming size with the combination of Liz Cambage and A'ja Wilson down low to control the boards and cut off driving lanes for Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
However, the Mercury were not about to go away with all that star power.
Taurasi drilled multiple threes during a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead and set up a back-and-forth finish. Kelsey Plum made multiple clutch plays to give Las Vegas the lead, Griner drilled two straight shots to tie it, and then, Taurasi turned in an incredible sequence.
The all-time great blocked Cambage and then connected on a cold-blooded three-pointer, but Chelsea Gray answered with a three to tie it. Shey Peddy then sunk two free throws to take a two-point lead in the final seconds, and Griner swatted Wilson's shot at the rim to prevent overtime in one of the most exciting back-and-forth stretches in recent WNBA history.
If the WNBA Finals are anything like Friday's game, fans are in for a treat.
Barack Obama Congratulates Candace Parker, Chicago Sky on Reaching 2021 WNBA Finals
Oct 7, 2021
Chicago Sky players celebrate after defeating the Connecticut Sun 79-69 in Game 4 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinal, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Count the former president among Chicagoans who are officially on the Chicago Sky bandwagon.
Barack Obama tweeted his congratulations to the team and "legend" Candace Parker "for making us all proud" after the Sky clinched a spot in the WNBA Finals with a 79-69 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Thursday's Game 4 of their semifinals series:
It’s always good to be from Chicago, but this year is especially sweet. Congratulations to the @ChicagoSky for making it to the WNBA finals, and to the legend, @Candace_Parker, for making all of us proud. We’ll be rooting for you. https://t.co/yW4d1OUYpF
The crowd at Wintrust Arena was raucous from the start with a spot in the WNBA Finals on the line. Chance the Rapper, Scottie Pippen, members of the Chicago Red Stars and members of the Chicago Bulls were among those in attendance.
Parker played like a legend and finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks while leading her hometown team to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Chicago will face the winner of the series between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury.
Candace Parker, Sky Top Arike Ogunbowale, Wings to Advance in 2021 WNBA Playoffs
Sep 24, 2021
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) shoots against the Dallas Wings during the first half in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Hosting their first playoff game in two years, the Chicago Sky gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about thanks to an 81-64win over the Dallas Wings to advance to the second round.
The Sky had an inconsistent regular season, resulting in a 16-16 overall record. They lost four of their final six games coming into the playoffs, but one of those wins was a 92-84 victory over the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces to clinch a postseason berth.
Dallas (14-18) was one of two teams to clinch a playoff berth with a losing record this season (New York Liberty, 12-20). The Wings hadn't made the postseason since 2018 and are still seeking their first playoff win since 2009 when the franchise was known as the Detroit Shock.
Candace Parker struggled to find her shooting rhythm, going just 5-of-15 from the floor to finish with 11 points. The two-time WNBA MVP still made an impact with 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Parker, Allie Quigley and Stefanie Dolson combined to finish +56 in the win.
The Sky looked like they would cruise to victory after leading by as many as 21 points in the second quarter and carrying a 44-29 advantage into halftime.
Dallas stormed back in the third quarter, going on an 18-7 run to cut the deficit down to four points. Two straight baskets by Stefanie Dolson and Allie Quigley gave Chicago a 55-47 lead.
Kahleah Copper's red-hot start was instrumental in getting the Sky out to an early advantage. She went 6-of-7 from the field and scored 12 of her team's 25 points in the first 10 minutes.
KAHHH 😎
After 1Q of play, @kahleahcopper has racked up 12 PTS and is 6-for-7 from the field
Jake Wolf of NBC Sports Edge cited Copper as a potential key for the Sky coming into the game based on how they fared when she shot well from the field:
I think Kahleah Copper’s efficiency could be the deciding factor for #skytown tonight against the Wings. Chicago went 10-5 when Copper shot at least 50% from the field and 6-11 when she made under half of her shot attempts #WNBATwitter
Copper did lead all Sky players in scoring, but she slowed down after that hot start. The All-Star guard had 11points over the final three quarters.
Satou Sabally anchored the third-quarter comeback for the Wings. She scored eight of her 12 points after head coach Vickie Johnson had her start the second half.
Arike Ogunbowale did most of the heavy lifting on offense for Dallas' starting five. The Notre Dame alum finished with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-of-10 from three-point range). She was the only member of the starting group to reach double digits in scoring.
Kayla Thornton and Bella Alaire were held scoreless, with Thornton missing each of her six shot attempts. Johnson elected to limit their minutes as the game went on, replacing them with Sabally and Isabelle Harrison.
When Sabally and Harrison were on the floor in the second half, the Wings made their run to get within shouting distance. Unfortunately, it turned out to be too late.
The Sky shot 45.2 percent overall from the floor and had a 47-35 rebounding advantage in the win. They will await the result of Thursday's second game between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury to learn where they will be playing in the second round of the playoffs this weekend.
What's Next?
The Sky will play either the No. 3 Minnesota Lynx (22-10) or No. 4 Seattle Storm (21-11) on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
