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Kahleah Copper poured in 21 factors and tied a career-high with 10 rebounds because the visiting Chicago Sky rolled to a 91-77 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday night in Sport 1 of the WNBA Finals.
Sport 2 of the best-of-five sequence is ready for Wednesday evening, additionally in Phoenix, which you’ll watch dwell from 2am on Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion, Enviornment and Combine.
The Sky parlayed a dominating remaining 4 minutes of the second quarter into an 11-point lead at halftime. They prolonged the benefit to 13 factors after three intervals and to 23 factors halfway by way of the ultimate quarter.
Phoenix common an 11-0 run late within the sport but it surely was too little, too late.
Six gamers scored in double digits for the Sky together with Copper. Allie Quigley added 18 factors, with Stefanie Dolson scoring 14 factors off the bench. Candace Parker put up 16, Courtney Vandersloot contributed 12 factors and 11 assists, and Azura Stevens added 10 factors of her personal.
Vandersloot’s playmaking was made all of the extra spectacular by the truth that her 11 dimes got here with none turnovers, which means she additionally grew to become the primary participant in WNBA Finals historical past with not less than 10 factors, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and no turnovers in a sport.
Brittney Griner led Phoenix with 20 factors, whereas Diana Taurasi scored 17 and Skylar Diggins-Smith added 15 for the Mercury.
The Mercury led 25-20 after the primary quarter behind 50 per cent capturing from the ground and a 4-for-6 exhibiting from past the arc.
Phoenix led 29-20 after a operating layup by Shey Peddy a minute into the quarter, however then scored simply six extra factors till halftime, lacking 12 of their remaining 14 pictures within the interval and committing 11 turnovers within the first half, their most in a half for the season.
All of the momentum switched to the Sky halfway by way of the second interval, as they reeled off a 17-0 run to leapfrog to a 46-33 lead earlier than settling for a 46-35 benefit on the break.
After an early Chicago run within the third quarter, the Mercury lower their deficit to 58-48 on a three-pointer by Diggins-Smith on the 5:33 mark. However the Sky answered with authority, pushing its benefit to 17 factors on a number of events, together with on a Quigley basket from long-distance earlier than heading to the ultimate interval up 74-61.
Phoenix beat the Sky to win its most up-to-date WNBA title in 2014, which was the final time both staff has reached the league finals. The Mercury have been WNBA champions 3 times whereas Chicago is chasing their first league crown.
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