GAME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

● The Chicago Sky set a new franchise-record for consecutive games won (7), thanks to its 91-68 victory over the New York Liberty on Thursday night. In the Sky’s 15-year history, its longest winning streak was previously six games, which it also reached in 2012, 2013 and just extended this season.

● The Sky and Liberty played for the second time in three days and for the third time in just over a month. With the win, Chicago also claimed the season series, having won two games and losing just once to New York in 2021.

● The Sky saw five players that scored double figures, as both forward Kahleah Copper and guard Diamond DeShields led the way in scoring for the Sky (18 points apiece). Guards Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley each scored 13 points, while forward Candace Parker finished with 12 points.

● With her 12-point performance, Parker moved to 13th all-time in points scored (5,788) in WNBA history. She now sits behind Becky Hammon (5,841) and Seimone Augustus (6,005).

● Thursday’s matchup between the Sky and the Liberty reunited several collegiate teammates, including: Kahleah Copper and Betnijah Laney (Rutgers); Ruthy Hebard and Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon); Dana Evans, Kylee Shook and Jazmine Jones (Louisville); and Lexie Brown and Neah Odom (Duke).

 

Postgame Media Availability | June 24, 2021 – Chicago at New York

 

NEXT UP: The Sky (9-7) and Connecticut Sun (9-5) will square off at the Mohegan Sun Arena this Sunday, June 27, at 1:00p CT. Chicago aims to extend its historic winning streak to eight games. This game will be available for Sky fans on CW26 and ESPN3.

 

KEY RUNS

● Midway through the second quarter, the Sky went on an 11-5 run to extend its lead to 31-19 with 6:57 to go in the first half.

● Chicago went on a 16-2 run near the end of the second quarter and took an 18-point lead into the half.

● The Liberty had a 16-5 scoring run and cut into the Sky’s double-digit lead near midway through the third quarter.

● Beginning at the 7:13 mark and concluding at the 4:33 mark in the fourth quarter, the Sky went on a 7-2 run to propel its lead to 86-59.

 

KEY STATS

● The Sky held the Liberty to just 14 points in the first quarter and 13 points in the second quarter. New York’s 14 first-quarter points matches its lowest first quarter total points scored this season, which the Sky also held the Liberty to on June 22.

● Chicago led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter, matching the team’s largest lead against an opponent at any point in a single game this season (previously led by 28 points against Liberty on Tuesday).

● With the starting lineup combination of Copper, Parker, Vandersloot, DeShields and Stefanie Dolson, the Sky is 6-0.

● The Sky shot 52.3% of its field goals and 50% of its three-point shots in the first half, which translated to 55 total points after two quarters of play.

● Chicago converted nearly half of its three-pointers (47.4%) and made nine shots from deep against the Liberty. The Sky is 7-2 when it makes seven or more shots from behind the arc this season.

● Chicago finished with 25 assists on Thursday, the second-highest total this season. In comparison, the Liberty offense recorded 13 assists.

 

CHICAGO NOTES

● Forward Candace Parker scored the game’s first basket, and finished with a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) for her third double-double of the season.

● The Sky scored 55 points in the first half, which is just the second time in team history that it scored 50-plus points after two quarters of action. Most recently, the Sky recorded 51 points in a half against Connecticut on June 19.

● Chicago is now 8-0 when leading at halftime this season. Against the Liberty, the Sky boasted a 55-29 advantage heading into the locker room.

● With 91 points scored on Thursday, the Sky have scored 90-plus points in four of its last six games.

● After starting the season 2-7, Chicago has now won seven games in a row to move to 9-7 this season. After 16 games in 2020, the Sky had a 10-6 record.

● Since Parker’s return to the floor, the Sky hasn’t scored less than 80 points in a game. Chicago is also undefeated (8-0) when Parker plays.

● The Sky won by at least 20 points against the Liberty for the second consecutive game. On Tuesday, Chicago defeated the Liberty 92-72.