The Chicago Sky Punch Their Ticket to the WNBA Finals

By: Zachary Draves

After a season of tremendous ups and downs plagued with injuries and uncertainty, the Chicago Sky are on their way to the WNBA Finals for the first time in 2014.

(Courtesy: Sky Sports)

Before a hyped up crowd at the Wintrust Arena that included Chicago legends Scottie Pippen, Chance the Rapper, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Sky burst out of the gates and didn’t look back.

(Courtesy: ESPN)

Great shots from beyond the arc, aggressive drives to the paint, a defensive powerhouse, a dash of confidence being at home, and the leadership of veteran players such as the one and only Candace Parker were all the ingredients needed for this recipe of success.

The highlights of the game are as follows:

With the win, the Chicago Sky advanced to the WNBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history. During the 2021 regular season, the Sky finished with a .500 record (16-16) and became just the third team in league history to make the WNBA Finals after having a .500-or-worse record in the regular season.
Tonight, Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot tied Ticha Penicheiro for sixth all-time in assists in WNBA Playoffs history (204).
Sky forward Candace Parker logged 17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks against the Sun in the Sky’s Game #4 victory. It’s just the fifth time that a WNBA player has scored (at least) 15 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in the WNBA Playoffs. This is Parker’s second game with such a finish and she’s the only player in league history with more than one stat line as such.
Four of the five starters for the Sky scored double figures against Connecticut on Wednesday. The only Chicago non-starter to score less than 10 points was Sky guard Allie Quigley, who still finished with a plus-minus mark of +5 across 27 minutes of action.
Chicago led from the 9:41 mark of tonight’s game and did not falter its lead for the rest of the night.

This victory and trip to the finals means much to Candace.

(Courtesy: NBC Chicago)

An already established legend and icon returning to her hometown and helping to make this moment possible is as Hollywood as you can get.

After the game, she emotionally paid homage to her beloved Windy City and the late Coach Pat Summit for whom she played for at the storied Tennessee program.

Also, this moment is particularly meaningful to Coach James Wade who at one point questioned his role during that period in which the team was on a seven-game losing streak.

(Courtesy: Chicago Sun Times)

Nevertheless, the fact they got this far can be much attributed to the leadership of Coach Wade who never gave in and never gave up and whose love for his players is undeniable.

Whatever happens, going forward, the story of the 2021 Chicago Sky is one for the ages.

The story of a team who overcame all the obstacles to get to the promise land.

Here is how Courtney Vandersloot wants to team to be remembered for in the history books.

(Courtesy: CBC)

“We played together and we sacrificed together” she said.

“That we sacrificed for each other and we were fun to watch.”

“All those things that we built overtime and the joy that we play with is special.”

The Chicago Sky will play the winner of the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces in the 2021 WNBA Finals. Currently, the Aces and Mercury are tied 2-2 in their respective series, with Game #5 of their semifinals scheduled for Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.

Regardless of the opponent, Game #1 of the 2021 WNBA Finals is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET) at either Las Vegas or Phoenix.