FULL GAME RECAP: https://on.nba.com/2w42rYF

 

SKY NOTES:

• Rookie guards Katie Lou Samuelson and Chloe Jackson scored 8 and 9 points in their WNBA debuts, respectively.

• Power forward Cheyenne Parker led the Sky with 11 points, going 4-for-8 from the field.

• Jumped out to a 19-5 lead with 3:19 remaining in the first quarter, the Sky’s largest lead of the game.

• More turnovers (23) than assists (15) in the game.

• Converted 5-of-12 3-pointers on the day.

• Last season’s WNBA assists leader point guard Courtney Vandersloot picked up 6 in the game, but also committed 6 turnovers.

• Started the second half on a 9-0 run, cutting their deficit to 45-42.

• A Victoria Macaulay free throw tied the score at 51 with 45.8 seconds remaining in the 3rd.

 

FEVER NOTES:

• Outscored the Sky 29-14 in the second quarter

• Point guard Kelsey Mitchell led the team with 11 points and 4 assists.

• Tallied 14 assists in first half, finishing with 20 in the game.

• Rookie center Teaira McCowan secured a game-high 8 rebounds.

• Took a 53-52 lead into the fourth quarter, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

• The Fever hit buzzer-beating shots to end both the second and third quarters.

 

 

POSTGAME QUOTES:

 

SKY HEAD COACH AND GENERAL MANAGER JAMES WADE

On offensive struggles: “I figured it would be tough for us getting into a new offensive style of play, you could tell we weren’t in a rhythm offensively. I thought the first group did well but offensively I thought we were thinking a little bit too much instead of playing together and that’s shown by the 23 turnovers that we had.”

On Chloe Jackson’s performance: “She put pressure on the other guards that are in training camp [with us] to respond. She has WNBA size and WNBA quickness I think that the part she probably has to grow into is the intensity of how to get your teammates going but she did well and I’m pleased with the result.”

On team’s goals for the rest of the season: “We don’t have any goals. We just want to get better every day so tomorrow we’re gonna watch film on this game and we’re gonna get better for the next game and we’re gonna play our next preseason game and try and get some more people more comfortable in the offense and comfortable defensively and then we’re gonna start the season and try and attack Minnesota right away. Our focus is Minnesota after the preseason games but I’m not gonna say we’re gonna go this place or win this many games I think we have to get better as a collective unit and that’s where we’re going.

 

 

SKY FORWARD CHEYENNE PARKER

On her reaction to first preseason game: “Overall we played hard, we showed effort and we didn’t give up. We definitely have a lot to work on and I think just seeing where we are and seeing what each player can do and put together our chemistry is the biggest thing.”

On team’s identity going forward: “Every day it’s continuing to come together, it’s a process and as soon as we get every puzzle piece together I think it’ll be a lot easier to start playing together fully but we’re doing the best we can right now with what we have.”

 

 

SKY FORWARD CHLOE JACKSON

On nerves before the first preseason game: “A little nerves, obviously, this is the best league in the world when it comes to basketball, so definitely a little nervous, but once you get your first assist or first shot in the nerves go away and you just play basketball.”

On confidence in the second half: “Definitely. Just came in with much more confidence like it’s just basketball, just come in and do what you do. It got you here so just sticking to that.”

On being a spark off the bench for the team: “Absolutely, that’s really what I want to do. Just give as much energy, and when I come in provide: getting to the hole, whether that be a kick and dish, just being that spark off the bench and doing whatever my team needs from me in that game.”

On the difference of playing in the Final Four and the WNBA: “It’s a whole new team, new offense, new defense. A lot of things to get used to. Obviously, big moments. First WNBA game and the FInal Four is huge, but I mean, it’s basketball, you know.”

On the coaches: “They’ve been positive. They told me good game, way to come in and be confident and attack. And just play my game, that’s what they’ve been really telling me. Just play the game and be confident in yourself.”

On goal for the season: “I would really like for us all to get to the playoffs, so whatever that entails me doing, whether that be me scoring in double figures or getting double figures in assists, just doing whatever my team needs from me. That’s really my goal.”

 

 

FEVER HEAD COACH POKEY CHATMAN

On the main takeaways of the game: “I thought, despite numerous combinations of people, we were able to maintain a high level of defensive consistency, making Chicago uncomfortable, forcing 24 turnovers. Sometimes that’s good to rely on when you’re still trying to rely each other early in the season offensively.”

On the ball movement of the Fever, who had 14 assists in the first half: “We talked about that. I think we only finished the game with 20 assists. We tell them all the time: pace, space, move the basketball, don’t let it stick, inside out, force closeouts. We got to see that a lot and hopefully we see more of it when we play Thursday.”

On what she takes from the preseason win: “It’s preseason, there are different wins. For me, the takeaway is looking at some of the young players. Having Teaira [McCowan] on the floor and sometimes those stats that “Joe Public” looks at doesn’t show her true impact. Just the space that she eats up in the middle and people’s inability to get to the paint. It helps us on the rebounds. I think they only had six offensive rebounds for the game. Those things are important for me. Another win was having Shenise Johnson back on the court. She’s been out a while, and to have her back out there playing looking comfortable. She’s still getting back, so that’s another win.”

 

 

FEVER GUARD KELSEY MITCHELL

On getting back into the WNBA mode after playing overseas: “It feels good. I’m very confident in my game, my shot, our preparation. I kind of let it fall in place. Just kinda going with the flow, embracing everybody around me, having fun.”

On where she is looking to improve this season: “Consistency. Can’t be a shot-taker, gotta be a shot-maker. Winning. We know what’s like to lose, so that’s always the goal to want to win as many games as possible for us, so we’re in the position to be in conversation with the best of the best.” On her offensive aggressiveness: “I gotta be aggressive, because if I’m passive, that means I’m not even tuned in. I want to be as aggressive as possible, make or miss.”

 

 

FEVER CENTER TEAIRA MCCOWAN

On her first game in the WNBA: “It felt like another game, but I was excited, being my first WNBA game. So, I just tried to relax as much as I could and went out there and played the game that I’ve always been playing since I was little.”

On the difference of physicality: “I just go and pursue rebounds as much as I can. Just go get it is what I kept telling myself.”

On personal goals this season: “I would say just fill the roles that they were lacking last year. So, on the defensive end, not having the guards of the opposing team come in and drive. And, just be there on that help side just in case my guards get beat off the bounce.”

 

NEXT UP: The Chicago Sky will face the Indiana Fever at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, May 16. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. CT.