The story of Chicago’s first-ever franchise title is not Candace Parker’s alone. It belongs to a team who played for each other all season, who saw the narrative about their 2014 Finals run — and made sure this one would be different. (GoldieOnSports)
When the Chicago Sky beat the No. 1 seeded Connecticut Sun to get to the WNBA Finals, Candace Parker knew that the moment was bigger than herself. Inside of her shoe, she wrote “For Pat" to honour the late Pat Summitt, who coached Parker at the University of Tennessee.Sumitt passed away in June of 2016, four months before Parker won her first WNBA championship and Finals MVP with Los Angeles.
Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot, the Sky’s married couple and veteran leaders, endured heartbreak at the hands of Phoenix before in 2014, getting swept 3-0 in the finals.Chicago Sky head coach James Wade, center, celebrates with Candice Parker, right, and Kahleah Copper, left, after defeating the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals to become champions Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago.
On the boards, getting shots up, staying cool under Phoenix’s gritty defensive pressure – that energy rubbed off onto her Sky teammates. Even when they were down by double digits, they never went into panic mode with Copper on the floor. Brianna Turner’s defence was unmatched, and Sophie Cunningham’s ability to get under the skin of Chicago players helped the Mercury get their lone win. But shots didn't fall, and having only three players finish with double-digit per-game scoring totals just was not enough.
The Sky’s usual suspects stepped up, with another 22-point game from Copper. Vandersloot notched another 10-assist night, adding to her point guard oeuvre. Parker provided from all areas of the floor and Diamond DeShields, coming off a less than ideal two-point performance in Game 2, got her confidence back, scoring 11 and hauling in five rebounds.
Chicago Sky's Diamond DeShields right, and Chance the Rapper left, celebrate with the trophy after the Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals to become champions Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago.
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