The Chicago Sky kicked off their WNBA Finals campaign with a dominant 91-77 Game 1 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.
After an exhilarating Game 5 win on Friday, Phoenix looked fatigued, while a well-rested Chicago punished the Mercury, getting out in transition early and often.
Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 21 points, adding ten rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The Sky star is the tenth player ever to record a double-double in their WNBA Finals debut.
🚶♀️🪣📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/sZPpIdUv9j— WNBA (@WNBA) October 10, 2021
🚶♀️🪣📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/sZPpIdUv9j
Five other Chicago players scored in the double-digits, with Candace Parker adding 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals and Allie Quigley sinking 18 points while collecting three boards and dishing out two assists.
As we wait for the 4Q to start..Let's watch this BEAUTIFUL @Candace_Parker bucket in #PhantomCam 💯📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/UxS3eyIEKY— WNBA (@WNBA) October 10, 2021
As we wait for the 4Q to start..Let's watch this BEAUTIFUL @Candace_Parker bucket in #PhantomCam 💯📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/UxS3eyIEKY
“We just gotta freshen up,” said Phoenix Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello in the post-game press conference, revealing that the team would take Monday off, alluding to the Mercury’s fatigue.
The Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky will both get a chance to rest up with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.