With the WNBA Playoffs still obtainable, the Chicago Sky (12-20) are now in a must win situation, as they suit up for their last away game of the regular season vs. the Minnesota Lynx (25-7).
In a playoff-like atmosphere, a trio of Sky players put on an unconscious shooting performance in Wednesday’s nail biting 99-96 loss vs. the Dallas Wings (16-17). Allie Quigley and Jessica Breland each shot 66.7%, Quigley scoreed 25 points and Breland had 22 points. Stefanie Dolson shot a silky 75% while dropping 21 points, and she captured a career-high nine assists along the way. Courtney Vandersloot also cruised to her eleventh double-double of the season with 15 points, 12 assists.
The Wings had a twosome that did damage all night. Skylar Diggins-Smith had 28 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 blocked shots and Glory Johnson knocked in 25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals.
The Sky got off to a scorching start and led 27-19 after the first-quarter, but then the Wings doubled the ante by outscoring them 29-25 in the second quarter and 31-21 in the third. The Sky made a run late in the fourth-quarter and tied it up 96-96, but they could not knock down a shot the remainder of the game.
The free-throw and three-point shooting ended up being the difference maker in this close-knit game. The Lynx shot 20-24 at the charity stripe and knocked down 9 three-pointers, and on the other side, the Sky shot just 11-12 from the free-throw line and made 5 three-pointers.
It has been nearly two months since the Sky last faced the Lynx. In the July 8 game, the Sky outscored the Lynx in every quarter, including a 22-10 third quarter, and waltzed to a 100-76 victory.
Vandersloot tied a career-high with 26 points and dished out thirteen assists (a career high at the time) vs. the Lynx. Tamera Young chipped in 18 points on 7-10 shooting, Dolson threw in 12 points, and Quigley added another 11 points.
A pair of post players led the Lynx respectfully, forward Rebekkah Brunson scored 22 points, and center Sylvia Fowles scored 13 points on 6-7 shooting.
The Sky offense was lethal as they outshot the Lynx 59.7% to 40.3%. Defense was on point as well as they forced the Lynx into an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers, while holding All-Star forward Maya Moore to just 8 points (all from the free-throw line).
Sky vs. Lynx tips off at 7:00 PM CDT Friday, September 1, at Target Center in Minneapolis. You can watch the game on WNBA League Pass. For live updates, download the Sky mobile app from the App Store or on Google Play.