Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky
· Women's National Basketball AssociationKahleah Copper scores 29 in her return to Chicago as the Mercury beat the Sky 85-65
Griner became the first player in franchise history to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game. Both players were coming off the U.S. gold-medal win at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
Copper was 12 of 19 from the field in her first game against Chicago since being traded in February. Copper, the 2021 Finals MVP, averaged 12 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists during her seven seasons with the Sky, including a career-best 18.7 points last year.
Copper scored 13 points in the first quarter on 5 of 8 shooting to help Phoenix build a 30-12 lead. Copper finished the half with 18 points and Griner added 12 as the Mercury extended their lead to 50-28 at the break. Chicago was 11 of 41 shooting (27%) in the first half, while Phoenix made 7 of 14 3-point attempts.
The Mercury led by double figures for the entire second half.
Diana Taurasi added 11 points for Phoenix (14-12). Taurasi and Copper each made three of the Mercury's 12 3-pointers.
Chicago (10-15) played without leading scorer Chennedy Carter due to a non-COVID illness. It was also the Sky's first game without guard Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Connecticut Sun before the Olympic break.
Dana Evans scored 14 points off the bench to lead Chicago. Angel Reese had 11 points and 15 rebounds for her league-leading 18th double-double of the season.
Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points. Rachel Banham, in her first start for Chicago, was 3 of 10 from the field to finish with seven points. Moriah Jefferson also played her first game for Chicago.
With her eight offensive rebounds on Thursday, Reese set a Sky record for the most offensive rebounds in a single season, passing Sylvia Fowles (117).
Regular Season Series
PHX wins series 3-0
Recent Plays
4th 0.0 | End of Game | 85 - 65 | |
4th 0.0 | End of the 4th Quarter | 85 - 65 | |
4th 22.1 | Kamilla Cardoso makes layup (Michaela Onyenwere assists) | 85 - 65 | |
4th 39.1 | Moriah Jefferson defensive rebound | 85 - 63 | |
4th 41.1 | Natasha Cloud misses 19-foot pullup jump shot | 85 - 63 |
Statistics
PHX | CHI | |
---|---|---|
33-59 | FG | 27-73 |
55.9 | Field Goal % | 37.0 |
12-23 | 3PT | 4-19 |
52.2 | Three Point % | 21.1 |
7-11 | FT | 7-14 |
63.6 | Free Throw % | 50.0 |
34 | Rebounds | 33 |
5 | Offensive Rebounds | 15 |
29 | Defensive Rebounds | 18 |
26 | Assists | 14 |
5 | Steals | 7 |
10 | Blocks | 3 |
12 | Turnovers | 11 |
1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
13 | Total Turnovers | 12 |
3 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
3 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
11 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 19 |
11 | Fast Break Points | 6 |
34 | Points in Paint | 38 |
18 | Fouls | 20 |
28 | Largest Lead | 0 |
Game Information
Location: Chicago, IL
Attendance: 9,025 · Capacity:
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York | - | 8 | L1 | 0.8 | 32 |
Connecticut | 4 | 12 | W1 | 0.7 | 28 |
Indiana | 12 | 20 | L1 | 0.5 | 20 |
Atlanta | 17 | 25 | W3 | 0.375 | 15 |
Washington | 18 | 26 | W1 | 0.35 | 14 |
Chicago | 19 | 27 | L5 | 0.325 | 13 |
WNBA News
'Future me can worry': No time for pain as Alanna Smith eyes WNBA glory
Injury worries can wait, Alanna Smith is living in the present and on the cusp of a WNBA championship.
Minnesota hangs on for dramatic win to force Game 5
Sabrina Ionescu can't convert the shot as time expires and the Lynx force Game 5 at home.
Stewart, Liberty to host Collier, Lynx
Minnesota Lynx (30-10, 14-6 Western Conference) at New York Liberty (32-8, 16-4 Eastern Conference)
Lynx force WNBA Finals decider after thrilling win
The Minnesota Lynx win a dramatic Game 4 in the WNBA Finals over the New York Liberty setting up a deciding game on Sunday.