The Chicago Sky remain intractable in these 2021 playoffs and in the first game of the WNBA Finals they prevailed in the Phoenix Mercury pavilion by 91-77.
Kahleah Copper led the visitors’ attack with 21 points and 10 rebounds, five of them on the offensive end; teammate Courtney Vandersloot added 12 points and 11 assists; and veteran Candance Parker contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds. With their triumph against those of Arizona the set of the Windy City He is 6-1 in the postseason.
“Every game is important, and getting the first one automatically gives you the advantage,” coach James Wade told the newspaper. Chicago Tribune. “You never know how the games are going to go, but who would have thought two and a half weeks ago that we would have the advantage of the field in the Finals. The team is very motivated and focused right now, ”he explained.
The Sky have taken a step forward in defense with just 77.6 goals conceded in these playoffs. And against the Mercury the pre-established script was fulfilled after breaking the crash in the second period thanks to a partial of 24-4 that took them to rest 11 points up in the electronic.
“I think everyone had the nerves from the first game, apart from Candance. She was our calm. So was our coach. And they constantly told us: Calm down, we’re fine. His leadership was very important to us tonight, ”acknowledged Kahleah Copper.
The Mercurys were quite touched with the important absences of Sophie Cunningham (calf injury) and Kia Nurse (anterior cruciate ligament). The maximum exponent was the center Brittney Griner with 20 points; followed by Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith with 17 and 15 points respectively.
“Our headlines have carried us throughout the season. And obviously losing Kia is a big deal, as he would have done a good job with Cooper. At least we will have Sophie Cunningham back because she gives us another option. But it’s only about one person. The rest have to step forward, ”admitted Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello.
It has taken the Skies three long years and a somewhat strange regular season, but right now they are in a position to achieve the first title in their history. “Everybody on this team has bought into the culture we have right now,” acknowledged Wade.
The second clash of the Finals will be in the early morning of next Wednesday, October 13, again at the Phoenix Mercury field.
(Cover photo: Mike Mattina / Getty Images)
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