Basketball News: Candace Parker returned to Chicago to bring the city a title. She achieved exactly that, leading the Sky to the franchise’s first championship.
Chicago defeated the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 in Game 4 on Sunday, led by Allie Quigley’s 26 points and Parker’s 16 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
“This one is really lovely,” Parker exclaimed, drenched in champagne. “To do it with this particular bunch. I adore this group and this crew. And doing it at home was just intended to be.”
The Phoenix players did not show up for the postgame news conference. A person familiar with the incident stated that at least one of the team’s players was responsible for breaking the door to their dressing room. Because the inquiry was ongoing, the individual spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.
Courtney Vandersloot contributed 10 points and 15 assists for the Sky, who won the series 3-1 after coming from a 72-65 hole with 4:42 remaining. On Stefanie Dolson’s layup, Chicago scored the next nine points to grab a two-point lead. She then added another basket to put the score 76-72 with 45.8 seconds remaining.
Diana Taurasi was fouled while hitting a 3-pointer on the next possession, and she made the first two free throws but missed the third.
Vandersloot then scored in the lane to secure the win and ignite the celebration. Parker ran to the corner of the court as the final buzzer sounded and sobbed as she hugged her family.
“It was incredible just to embrace my dad and mum,” Parker added. “It was an incredible experience to be from here and see so many people in the stands who have been rooting for you since the beginning. It’s just a time where you have to soak it all in.”
It was a fitting conclusion for Parker, who triumphantly returned to Chicago this season after 13 years in Los Angeles. Throughout the playoffs, she was repeatedly referred to as the Sky’s missing piece, a term she proved many times during Chicago’s surprising run to the title as a six-seed.
“It’s incredible. My high school coach has arrived “Parker stated. “I know Pat (Summitt) is keeping an eye on things. We’ve got the entire city here. We’ve gathered the entire city. We are now champions for life.”
Brittney Griner was an early focal point of Phoenix’s offence. The seven-time All-Star scored 28 points, 18 of which came in the first half. Griner and guard Skylar Diggins-Smith both contributed to a 9-0 run to end the second quarter, giving Phoenix a 44-37 lead at the break.
Nonetheless, Quigley’s fourth-quarter explosion effectively ended Phoenix’s chances of avoiding elimination.
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