Chicago Sky get much-needed win in Candace Parker’s return

Candace Parker made her home debut for the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night in a game that halted the team’s seven-game losing streak.

After shining in the Sky’s season-opening win and then missing eight games with an ankle injury, Parker made her highly anticipated return in Chicago’s 92-76 victory over the Indiana Fever.

Thank you to everyone for the kind messages, support and love on my return to the court! We got the Dub! I am far from at my best at the moment, but I will work to continue to build to get there. ❤️

— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) June 10, 2021

In 18 minutes, Parker recorded three points, five rebounds and two assists. The 35-year-old said afterward that she focused on impacting the game in ways beyond scoring as she works her way back to full strength.

“I honestly rehabbed my ass off the last three weeks to even put myself in a position to be back on the court,” she said. “I’m just happy to be out playing basketball. It wasn’t the prettiest, but it’ll get there. It’ll get better.”

Parker’s presence seemed to activate the Sky’s offense, with five Chicago players scoring in double digits. Courtney Vandersloot led the Sky in scoring with 17 points and also collected nine rebounds. The team shot 45.1 percent from the field, a vast improvement for a team that is currently last in the league in that category at 39 percent.

.@Candace_Parker IS BACK 🔥
pic.twitter.com/etvpWr3PlH

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) June 10, 2021

Indiana trailed Chicago for most of the game despite Kelsey Mitchell’s game-high 24 points. Tiffany Mitchell added 20 points, six rebounds and three assists to the Fever’s tally. A late Indiana push cut the Sky’s lead to single digits in the third quarter, but Chicago held on.

The two teams will face off again in Indiana on Saturday.