It was a quintessential Chicago Sky-style victory to come out of the deciding Game 3 and return to the WNBA Semifinals at home.They bounced off the 7th seed new york liberty, 90-72, Behind a score sheet that was typically balanced with a historic assist percentage on the road at New York’s Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
Sky will face the winners of No. 3 Connecticut and No. 6 Dallas. Game 3 is Wednesday night. No. 1 seed Ace and No. 4 seed Storm have already qualified in the other semi-final. The new playoff format does not reseed teams between rounds.
Chicago led most of the contest by a safe but relatively low double-digit margin. Sabrina Ionescu He brought the Liberty within five and started the fourth. They were within one possession of him, but that comeback attempt quickly evaporated as Sky’s offense surged in on his 16-0 run to seal it. New York scored 7 points in his 9:02 of the final.
Each Sky starter and sixth player finished with 12–15 points and the team finished with 27 assists. This was three more than the WNBA record average of 24.3. candace parker He approached a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Azra Stevens With 12 points (5/9) and 8 rebounds, he came close to a double-double off the bench.
Sky are aiming to become the first team to repeat champions since 2018. Los Angeles Sparks 2001-02.Their title window is getting smaller on so many players Free agency again this winter.
How Skye closed out the series
When this happens, it’s safe to say it’s your night.
Chicago could do pretty much anything they wanted offensively in the first half against Liberty’s poor defense. Liberty was unable to disrupt the shooter or passing his lane, and Sky shot 53.7% of his in the first half. Chicago had as many assists in the half as the Liberty had field goals (17) and did about the same by the end of the game (27 to 30).
Sky rushed the Liberty offense and took advantage of New York’s thorny turnover problem. Liberty recorded his 14 turnovers, matching his average of 15.5 per game, while Chicago recorded his nine steals.
New York practiced their 3-pointers early on, but that wasn’t enough when Chicago was able to hit shots with ease every time they went down the court. and lost 14 points compared to 29, but the offense couldn’t capitalize on that. They missed 5 of 11 attempts in the paint. Added missed opportunities.
Ionescu made his fourth start and had a five-point surge to take the lead from ten to half. It was his 9–0 run in New York that Chicago answered well at forward. Emma Miesmannmoved Ionescu in a corner that changed momentum and Parker took over.
Betnija Rainey They went 11-6 with 15 points, leading all Liberty scorers. Ionescu scored 14 points, but was inefficient at 6-of-15 and 2-of-7 from 3-point range. She had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Natasha Howard Recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.center Stephanie Dolson Only four points were scored in four attempts.
Malin Johannes Re-enchant the sold-out Barclays Center
Johannes set the tone for New York early on, leading a sold-out Barclays Center to a roaring crescendo with back-to-back 3-pointers in the first quarter.
The France international added a third in the final minute in a 3–3 start to secure almost half of Liberty’s first quarter points. Johannes, who missed the first month of the season alongside Lyon in the Ligue 1 Feminine du Basketball Final, was placed in the starting lineup for the first time since a span of 10 games in June and July. Crystal Dangerfield made her first two starts in New York.
The pair of Johannes, Ionescu, Laney, Howard and Stefanie Dolson have played together for 20 minutes this season (mainly due to injury) and played 7 minutes in the first 80 minutes of the series. The lineup switch launched the attack and took the pressure off Ionescu. Ionescu faced successful pressure from Sky his guard Kalia his Copper and Rebekah his Gardner who suffered a heavy loss in the second leg.
of Johannes Pass enthralled fans, including her comeback spark behind dish in Game 1. However, her future in the WNBA is in question. New preferential clauses in collective bargaining agreements. She opted out of the 2020 bubble season and stayed home with the French national team ahead of last year’s bronze medal-winning Tokyo Olympics. and will be suspended in 2024 for failing to participate in training camp.
Sky vs. Liberty Series Results
Game 1: Liberty 98, Sky 91
Game 2: Sky 100, Liberty 62
Game 3: Sky 90, Liberty 72
Semifinal schedule
Round 1: Sunday, August 28th
Connecticut/Dallas Chicago 8pm ESPN2
Game 2: Wednesday, August 31
Connecticut/Dallas Chicago 8pm ESPN2
Game 3: Sunday, September 4th
Chicago, Connecticut/Dallas, 1:00 PM ESPN2 ET
Game 4: Tuesday, September 6 (if needed)
Chicago, Connecticut/Dallas, TBD on ESPN2
Game 5: Thursday, September 8 (if needed)
Connecticut/Dallas in Chicago, TBD on ESPN2
