In heartbreaking fashion, the Chicago Sky lost their fifth straight game going 0-4 at home. The Sky were once again without Allie Quigley (hamstring) and Candace Parker (Ankle).
The Sky started the game 0-7 from the floor which led to an 8 point lead for the Phoenix Mercury; after a timeout by James Wade, the Sky would record their first point of the game at the foul line by Ruthy Hebard. Hebard would score Chicago’s first 8 points of the match.
Things looked brighter for the Sky in the second quarter as they came out with better energy that would see them go on a 9-2 run to pull within one and force a Phoenix timeout. Chicago would take a brief lead in the second with 6 minutes and 30 seconds left in the quarter before turnovers and bad shot selections and an 18-5 run by the Mercury would have them down by 11 at the half (47-36).
Chicago would start the 3rd quarter on an 8-0 run before a Phoenix timeout. The Sky would continue to dominate the 3rd quarter with a 15-4 run. Chicago would end the 3rd quarter in a tie (61-61) but would out-score Phoenix 25-14 in the 3rd.
Chicago would blow a 10 point lead in the 4th. And in the final minutes of the game Diamond DeShields would make a critical mistake by taking a shot early in the shot clock; after a Phoenix Mercury technical that would reset the shot clock to 14 after the technical free throw; the missed shot would contribute to a run-out and foul by DeShields that would send Brianna Turner to the line for 2.
Chicago’s last possession of the game would result in a Kahleah Copper miss that would lead to an offensive rebound. And a half-court 3 point shot by Kia Nurse.
In the post-game press conference; I asked James Wade if DeShields was aware of the shot clock and his response was:
“I don’t know if Diamond knew the shot clock, but I talk about good energy all the time, and after she missed my energy went down after she missed and the one time I let my guard down it cost us the game, so I take blame for this loss.”
James Wade also sang the praises of Lexie Brown who the Sky signed earlier in the day saying, “Lexie Brown was the veteran point guard we needed off the bench. Her presence on the floor helped us cut down our turnovers.”
Even though Chicago lost the game: we had time to see what this Chicago team could look like once everyone is healthy and available.
Injury report: @chicagosky for tomorrow’s game against Phoenix:
— Beyond Women’s Sports (@BeyondWSports) June 2, 2021
Allie Quigley (hamstring) is PROBABLE.
Candace Parker (ankle) is OUT. #skytown #WNBATwitter
Chicago will get the chance to avenge this loss on Thursday; against Phoenix on the road with the possibility of having Stefanie Dolson back in the lineup. Chicago released the injury report for tomorrow’s game and Allie Quigley is PROBABLE. Candace Parker, who is day to day with an ankle injury is OUT for tomorrow’s game.
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