When information broke out that Angel Reese had sustained a season-ending wrist harm in Friday’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks, there was speedy trigger for concern for the Chicago Sky.
How might the Sky probably recuperate after dropping their history-making rookie?
Thus got here alongside veteran ahead Isabelle Harrison. She crammed the void by enjoying her finest sport of the season because the Sky trounced the visiting Dallas Wings 92-77 on Sunday. Harrison was sturdy on the block as she completed with 21 factors whereas going 9-for-18 from the sphere. As well as, she was a strong presence on the defensive glass as she got here away with 9 rebounds, eight of them on the defensive finish. She additionally was an ideal 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
After spending the 2023 season injured, Harrison has been a wholesome presence coming off the bench this 12 months. She is at present averaging 5.5 factors and three.0 rebounds per sport. This was essentially the most factors she has scored since Aug. 18, when she had 18 factors towards the Phoenix Mercury.
Afterwards, Harrison was requested about her confidence degree as the sport progressed, figuring out she had huge footwear to fill at a essential second. She stated:
I do at all times wish to stay aggressive. I’ve perception in myself. I needed to for certain step up with Angel being out at the moment and nonetheless present that we could be a strong group. Now we have the items that we’d like. Simply proceed to remain aggressive.
Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon went on to say that Harrison did precisely what she wanted to:
She performed her position. She did what she was purported to. She was dominant within the paint. She was bodily from the very starting. She made issues very troublesome for them on the defensive aspect of the ball the place they needed to get it to their bigs. She didn’t enable any straightforward entry passes after which she was rebounding the ball for us, working the ground for us, and defending the way in which that she did, it’s fairly robust. However then when the ball was inside to her, there was zero hesitation, she scored the ball. That’s what we wish, don’t hesitate. what you are able to do, we belief and consider in it, get it accomplished and that’s what she did.
Chennedy Carter led the way in which with a game-high 28 factors, six assists and 4 rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso completed with a double-double of 10 factors and 11 rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere had 10 factors, three rebounds and two assists. Dana Evans got here off the bench so as to add 11 factors and three 3-pointers.
In flip, the Sky are nonetheless in rivalry for the final remaining playoff spot, and eradicated Dallas within the course of. Their postseason possibilities had been enhanced by the Indiana Fever defeating the Atlanta Dream, giving Chicago sole possession of the eighth spot.
The Chicago Sky (13-22) will tackle the Washington Mystics (11-24) on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
