Oct 18, 2021 - Sports

Chicago is Sky-high for WNBA title

Justin Kaufmann

Chicago Sky teammates celebrate on the court. — Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky celebrates after defeating the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 in Game Four of the WNBA Finals. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Hometown hero Candace Parker collected the final rebound and ran off the court to embrace her family as the Chicago Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, 80-74, to take home the franchise's first WNBA title.

Why it matters: The Chicago Sky become the latest sports franchise to bring a championship to Chicago, but the first since the Cubs in 2016.

What happened: The Sky overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half behind veteran guard and Joliet native Allie Quigley, who scored 26 points, and a huge game from backcourt companion Courtney Vandersloot, who finished with 15 assists.

But it was Parker who put this team on her back in the third quarter, scoring 7 straight Sky points and calming her teammates down. Later in the 4th, former UConn star and gold-medal winner Stefanie Dolson scored the go-ahead basket(s) that sent the sold-out crowd into a frenzy.
For Chicago native Parker, the thrill of winning her second career title on her home court was not lost on her. "It feels amazing. My high school coach is here. We're champions for life now."

Tidbits: The Sky become the first team in WNBA history to win a title after having a sub .500 regular season record. They are also the first non #1 or #2 seed to win a championship.

The Sky set a record for most wins in a playoff run (eight).
Vandersloot set the WNBA record for playoff assists (102).
Courtside tickets for Game 4 at Wintrust Arena went for more than $1,000.

Add Axios on Google

Chicago is Sky-high for WNBA title

More Chicago stories