A Teresa Weatherspoon-caliber Chicago Sky crew emerged on Thursday night as they soundly defeated the visiting Los Angeles Sparks, 83-73. What are the traits of the Teresa Weatherspoon-caliber Sky? Quick-paced, relentless and passionate.
Recent off a tough loss to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, when turnovers and a woeful third quarter sealed their destiny, Chicago fully turned the tide. Their offense was fluid within the half court docket and in transition, as they gained 10-4 in quick break factors. They shared the ball with 27 complete assists in comparison with LA’s 17. The Sky bench additionally dominated, outscoring the Sparks’ reserves 23-11. Chicago’s protection largely was steadfast, as they held LA to 40 % from the sector and 19 % from 3. The Sky additionally compelled the Sparks to show the ball over 18 occasions. The rebounding matchup was aggressive, however Chicago bought the higher hand, 35-33.
In all, Weatherspoon’s Sky succeeded in nearly each facet of the sport.
Some notable particular person performances included:
Marina Mabrey
After a sluggish efficiency towards Seattle, Mabrey got here storming out the gate and by no means relented. She was the last word playmaker as she completed with a team-high 20 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists. Mabrey additionally was lights out from past the arc, the place she went 6-for-11.
Elizabeth Williams
A pounding presence within the paint, Williams completed with a double-double as she got here away with 17 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals. She took extra journeys to the road, going 5-for-7. She additionally had the best subject purpose proportion at 66.7 %.
Dana Evans
She was as dependable as they arrive, serving as a novel mixture of playmaker, threat taker and affected person participant. Evans did just a bit little bit of every part, which resulted in her scoring 15 factors, shelling out 4 assists and accumulating a career-high 5 steals.
Evans was efficient within the transition play and did a stable job of defending the ball. At occasions when she was in transition or going to the opening, she would convey the ball again as much as the perimeter to arrange the offense, one thing she was very adamant about doing going into the sport. “I feel for me it’s simply taking like a ‘whoosah,’” she stated. “I really feel like that calms me down a bit of bit and I really feel like I can set it up.”
Chennedy Carter
Complementing Evans when it comes to transition and quickness, Carter was full-speed forward coming off the bench. She was all over as she completed with 14 factors and 4 assists. Afterwards, Weatherspoon had nothing however reward for her when it comes to what she brings at each ends of the ground, saying:
She’s our vitality. She’s our go to when she comes within the second unit. She’s explosive. She’s electrical. She will be able to principally do what she needs to, however she’s enjoying with the crew. A participant who can rating the ball, however most significantly she’s a prepared passer. She needs to get down the opposite finish. She will be able to guard anybody. Chennedy is a really particular athlete. She’s taken full benefit of her alternatives and he or she needs the world to know that she will be able to play this recreation.
Angel Reese
Although she was typically overwhelmed by the veteran presence of Dearica Hamby on the blocks, Reese held her personal as she got here away with six factors and 6 rebounds. She didn’t rating throughout the second and third quarters, however managed to hit two crucial pictures within the paint within the latter phases of the sport to assist seal the win.
Diamond DeShields
The grittiest of the grit can finest describe the tenacious play of DeShields. She completed with solely two factors, however she grabbed two boards and handed out three assists. Greater than that, she was continuously taking a beating on the ground, however saved getting again up. Plus she was profitable in difficult a foul known as towards her, as she cleanly blocked a shot by Stephanie Talbot on the 7:51 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Chicago Sky (3-3) will hit the street to tackle the Indiana Fever (1-8) on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. ET.
