NFL
By: Stephen PridGeon-Garner
The Chicago Sky have executed on just what Candace Parker said they’d set out to do in the preseason, in getting off to a better start and sustaining that level of play heading into the postseason.
They’ve done that and then some, being the first team to reach the 20 win mark in the W, and also being first to clinch a spot in the 2022 postseason, a stark contrast from how last seasons playoff berth was earned.
In that they’ve compiled some rather impressive statistical feats, in which I’ll be taking a quick dive through below.
11 and 2.8
As it stands, the Sky have the most clutch wins in the league with 11. They continuously find ways to garner wins, in a multitude of ways, that show just how experienced and connected they are as a whole.
Add to that their league-best mark of 2.8 in +/- in the clutch, and you see why they’ve been so dominant across the league.
They also hold opponents to the 2nd worst field goal percentage in the W in the clutch, with a percentage against of 32.7%.
2
Season series that the Sky have already won. They’ve also won at least a game against every team in the league, and are well-positioned to potentially win every season series as we head down the homestretch. Something I’m keeping an eye on.
> 43% from the field
League average field goal percentage is 43% this season.
The Sky have held opponents to less than that in seven of their last eight games. They’ve been hitting on their defensive rotations and truly connected on the less glamorous end of the floor, against a variety of opponents.
They’ve held Connecticut (40%), Phoenix (40.9%), Indiana (40.2%), Atlanta (42%), Los Angeles (39.4%), Dallas (39.4%), and Seattle (42%) both below the league average and their respective average field goal percentages in this stretch.
2
This is presently their second streak of five wins this season.
10 and 10
They’re the only team in the W with double-digit wins both at home and on the road this season.
4
They’re presently amidst their fourth streak of three or more wins this season, through 26 games.
76.4
Teams average points per game against them in this five game win streak.
74%
This is what the Sky are shooting at the rim over the last five games. At 92/124 in this stretch they’ve seen varying defenses that present different challenges, but remain intact with their plan of attack and, in their signature diverse and versatile manner, dupe defenses into advantages that net them attempts at the rim with great frequency, on great efficiency.
12.6
They’re also averaging 12.6 assists at the rim per game in this window of play, indicating how well the ball is moving and how they’re generating these look via the pass, which is as on-brand as any stat in this piece. On the season, they average 10.7 assists at the rim per game.
In all, the Sky are seeing the full two-way high level of play that they hope to see (even improved upon more) as the postseason looms.
As the games increase in intensity and meaning with the playoffs surfacing, pay close attention to how consistently they replicate the recent successes they’ve enjoyed. There’s no true anomalies amongst these stats, and as they stay true to their brand, it will be fun seeing just how much better this team can be the reet of the way.
***All stats and information used come directly from WNBA.com/stats or PBPstats.com unless stated otherwise, and are accurate entering play on 7.22.2022***
