Sky hand Liberty most lopsided loss in WNBA playoff history

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Emma Meesseman, Candace Parker and the Chicago Sky forced a deciding Game 3 in New York on Tuesday. (Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Chicago Sky dismantled the New York Liberty 100-62 Saturday to post the largest margin of victory in a WNBA playoff game.

Chicago’s emphatic win equalizes the Round 1 playoff series at 1-1, with a deciding game to be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Tuesday.

The reigning WNBA champions started on the front foot, swarming the Liberty with defensive pressure in an overwhelming response to their Game 1 loss.

Chicago forced eight Liberty turnovers in the first quarter, jumping to a 31-10 lead, an advantage that continued to balloon throughout the game.

Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from beyond the arc. The reigning WNBA Finals MVP also added three steals and three rebounds in a compelling performance, quieting any speculation surrounding her health after taking a hard fall in practice.

Candace Parker contributed on both sides of the court as well, notching 12 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double while also adding four assists and two blocks for the Sky.

As a team, Chicago outrebounded New York 45-28 while forcing 19 Liberty turnovers and conceding just 10. The Sky successfully stifled Sabrina Ionescu, holding the guard to just seven points compared to her Game 1 tally of 22 points.

The Sky will look to continue their momentum when they travel to Brooklyn Tuesday for a decisive Game 3.