Chicago did something that they didn’t do 8 years ago: they won a game in the WNBA Finals. The magic number for the Sky Chicago is now two as they head into Game 2 on Wednesday. But with a championship possibility on the horizon, the Sky has remained focused on the game ahead. Veteran leader Candace Parker has been the calming voice for Chicago to keep them focused when things have gotten tough. Kahleah Copper told Jeff Jussim of WNBA.com this during today’s press conference:
“I think the first game was really good, even getting through the first game jitters. It was cool to come out and play in front of so many fans. But I think that once the dust settled, we all got settled and everything. And Candace [Parker], she’s the calm during the storm. So, we just got settled in and started playing Chicago basketball. I think that’s what our offense makes easy for us. But I’m just taking it one game at a time — we’re trying to keep our sense of urgency high. We’re treating everything like a single-elimination game.”
Keeping their urgency high is something that the Sky must focus on. Phoenix, who are led by Diana Taurasi is expected to come out with a sense of urgency. The Sky has to keep their foot on the gas without the scoring lows that hurt them in Game 2 against the sun.
Head Coach James Wade said the team is looking to learn from their struggles from Game 2 against the Connecticut Sun.
“You just have to take from your experiences and just be ready. I thought we played that Game 2 pretty well. We ran into a wall where we couldn’t score and so you learn from it and say, “What can we do better?” in case we get in these situations again, and I think we were able to kind of approach that in the next few games, but I thought they had a sense of urgency, I just thought Connecticut was a good team. We just got into a situation where we couldn’t score. We think Phoenix is a great team as well, and we know they’re going to come with everything, but we think we have enough to withstand whatever they come with.“
In Game 1 Stefanie Dolson was a bright spot for Chicago. She finished the game with 14 points. Chicago knows it’s going to take everyone on their roster to contribute for them to win these upcoming games. Each player on the Sky roster has to be ready when their numbers are called: Parker told Mario Hernandez of WNBA.com this:
“If you look at our roster, everybody at some point in a game has played over 30 minutes because people have been in and out. There’s been injuries. I just hope everybody knows that within a series, your value is super important. I think everybody on this team has had moments in the playoffs that have been crucial to us winning. I look back at the Minnesota game in the first quarter and our bench just came in a raised the level. Diamond [DeShields], Dana [Evans], Astou (Ndour-Fall), they came in and literally changed the game. I know the importance of those players that step up and are key in playoff series. You don’t know your moment but be ready for it.“
The encouragement for the Sky by the people of Chicago has been amazing. The support has been outstanding, so exceptional that Friday’s Game 3 in Chicago is sold out. With some resale tickets going for as high as $2,000.
Even with so much support in their city, that hasn’t stopped the Sky from remaining focused on the game ahead.
Coach Wade told reporters yesterday that the team’s focus was on Game 2 and Game 2 only.
The Mercury will add to their depth off the bench with the return of Sophie Cunningham.
The Sky seems to have all their hearts and minds in the right place. Now it’s time to see if they can put it all together again and steal another game in Phoenix.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the WNBA Finals. You can follow Nov on Twitter @WNBAUncut.
