Phoenix Mercury’s Kiabourne # 1 and Chicago Sky’s Stepha Needleson # 31 will work looseball in the first half of Round 4 of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on October 17, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. .. (Photo by Stacy Libya / Getty Images)
Chicago (AP) — Candace Parker has returned to bring the championship to Chicago. She did just that and led Sky to the first title of the franchise.
Allie Quigley scored 26 points, Parker added 16 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, and Chicago beat Phoenix Mercury 80-74 in Game 4 on Sunday.
“We kept it 9 downs and 11 downs,” Parker said. “I’m very proud of this group. Stop what she’s doing all year long. Ally that’s amazing.”
Courtney Vandersroot added 10 points and 15 assists to Sky, who won Series 3-1 and recovered from a 72-65 deficit with 4:42 remaining. Chicago scored the next nine points, leading Stepha Needleson’s layup by two points. Then I added another basket to 76-72 with 45.8 seconds left.
Diana Torashi was fouled on the next possession, fired three pointers and made the first two free throws, but missed the third.
Vandersroot then scored in the lane and sealed the victory to start the celebration. When the final buzzer sounded, Parker sprinted into the corner of the court, tearing and hugging his family.
After spending 13 years in Los Angeles, it was a lap moment for Parker, who returned to Chicago after winning this season. She was constantly called Sky’s Missing Piece throughout the playoffs and proved to be accurate many times during Chicago’s stunning runs, winning the title as a 6-seed.
“It feels great. My high school coach is here,” Parker said. “I know Pat (Summitt) is watching. I got the whole city here. I got the whole city here. We are now the champions of life.”
Brittney Griner was the focus of the Phoenix attack early on. The seven All-Stars finished the game with 28 points, 18 of which were in the first half. Greiner and Guard Skyler Diggins-Smith led the 9-0 run to finish the second quarter, giving Phoenix a half-time 44-37 edge.
Parker initially struggled to get into an aggressive rhythm, and by the end of the first half he was only 4 points and 1 to 6 off the floor.
Carrea Copper, who was strong in the first four games of the final, won the MVP honor of the championship.
Master the technique
Taurashi and Skyforward’s Carrea Copper were both teams emotional from the start as they were hit by a technical foul within 50 seconds in the first quarter.
Packed house
Despite the Chicago Bears hosting rival Green Bay Packers right next to Soldier Field, Sky attracted a crowd of sold-outs. Chance the Rapper attended again to support his home team.
Tip:
Chicago coach James Wade has joined Los Angeles Sparks winner Michael Cooper and Phoenix winner Corey Gaines to become the third black male coach to win the WNBA Championship. … Phoenix was 4-0 in the WNBA Finals after being defeated until Sunday’s defeat.
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Other AP Women’s Basketball: https: //apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Chicago defeats Phoenix 80-74 to win first WNBA title | WGN Radio 720
Source link Chicago defeats Phoenix 80-74 to win first WNBA title | WGN Radio 720
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