WNBA Chicago Sky

Five Sky Players Score in Double Figures in 104-85 Win over Mercury

Published on July 30, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


FINAL SCORE: CHI 104, PHX 85

CHICAGO SKY (10-15) vs. PHOENIX MERCURY (6-18)

WINTRUST ARENA | WNBA REGULAR SEASON | GAME #25 | JULY 30, 2023

TEAM HIGH POINTS HIGH ASSISTS HIGH REBOUNDS

CHI Copper (24) C. Williams (9) E. Williams, Mabrey (5)

PHX Taurasi (24) Jefferson (7) Gustafson (8)

TODAY'S GAME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: The Chicago Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 104-85 on Sunday, July 30 in Wintrust Arena, completing the Sky's three-game home stand. Chicago finishes the home stand at 1-2. With the win, the Sky improved to 10-15, while the Mercury fell to 6-18 on the season. The win gives Chicago the season series victory over Phoenix, winning the season series 2-1. Chicago moves to 5-9 at home and 7-5 against the Western Conference. Chicago is now 18-25 against the Mercury all time.

In Sunday's game, the Sky picked up their biggest win this season in terms of point differential, winning by 19. Kahleah Copper and Marina Mabrey led the way in scoring for the Sky, with the pair combining for 47 points. Courtney Williams led the team in assists, putting up nine, to go along with her 19 points.

Diana Taurasi led the Mercury in today's game, scoring a season-high 24 points. Megan Gustafson (17 points) and Michaela Onyenwere (18 points) combined for 35 against the Sky while Moriah Jefferson racked up seven assists.

Other highlights include:

Diana Taurasi passed Lisa Leslie (492) for 19th on the WNBA's all-time steals list, finishing today's game with 493 career steals

Taurasi tied DeLisha Milton-Jones for 19th on the WNBA's all-time blocks list, finishing today's game with 339 career blocks

Robyn Parks scored a career-high 14 points

Parks hit a career-high four three-pointers

The Sky scored a regulation season high of 104 points

NEXT UP: The Sky hit the road for a two-game back-to-back against the Dallas Wings on Aug. 4 and Aug. 6. The Sky previously defeated the Wings, 94-88, at home in the team's fourth game of the season on May 28.

In that game, Marina Mabrey took off against her former team, scoring 23 points and adding eight assists. Kahleah Copper added 16 points while Dana Evans (14 points) and Sika Kone (10 points) propelled the Sky's bench. The Wings made it a close game, with ArikeOgunbowale putting up 27 points and SatouSabally scoring 24 points and grabbing eight boards.

The upcoming two-game series ends the season series between the two teams. Chicago leads the all-time series against the Wings 14-7. The Aug. 4 game against the Wings tips off at 7 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast nationally on ION.

KEY RUNS:

The Sky opened up the game by outscoring the Mercury 8-3

The Sky went on a 16-5 run from 7:39 to 4:47 in the first quarter

Chicago went on a 15-6 run from 8:34 to 4:39 in the third quarter

Chicago outscored Phoenix 28-19 in the third quarter

KEY STATS:

The Sky made 10 of 11 (90.9%) free throw attempts in the first quarter. Their 10 free throw attempts in the first quarter tie a season-high for free throws made in a quarter (Tied with the fourth quarter of a June 11 matchup against the Aces)

The Sky and the Mercury combined to shoot 18 of 33 (54.5%) from the field, 5 of 12 (41.7%) from three and 15 of 16 from the line (93.8%) in the first quarter, a 50/40/90 line

Both the Sky and the Mercury shot 50.0% or better from the field in the first half

The Sky won the turnover battle 7-18, and outscored Phoenix 32-5 in points off turnovers

The Sky recorded three blocks in the second quarter

The Sky's 57 first-half points are the most they have scored in a first half this season (Previous: 54 at Indiana on July 2)

CHICAGO NOTES:

Elizabeth Williams passed Candace Parker (621) for 25th on the all-time offensive rebounds list, ending Sunday's game with

Kahleah Copper (571) passed Epiphanny Prince (567) for 5th on Sky all time free throw attempt list with five made free throws

Copper led the team in scoring for the eighth straight game

Copper scored 10 points in the first quarter

Copper and Mabrey combined for 19 of the Sky's 28 first quarter points

Copper and Mabrey combined for 32 of the Sky's 57 first half points

Copper accounted for 13 of the Sky's 25 second quarter points (eight points, five points created from assists)

Marina Mabrey accounted for 16 of Chicago's 32 points in the first quarter (nine points, seven points created from assists)

All Sky starters scored at least three points in the first half

Chicago had five players score in double figures by the end of regulation (Copper - 24, Mabrey - 23, C. Williams - 19, Parks - 14, Smith - 10)

Courtney Williams reached 200 career steals

Dana Evans reached 200 career three point attempts

Courtney Williams accounted for 17 of the Sky's 28 third quarter points (seven points, 10 points created from assists)

Courtney Williams recorded four assists in the third quarter

Courtney Williams accounted for 13 of the Sky's 19 points in the fourth quarter (eight points, five points created from assists)

PHOENIX NOTES:

Brianna Turner reached 1,000 career rebounds

Michaela Onyenwere created five points from assists in the first quarter

Onyenwere accounted for 12 of Phoenix's 24 second quarter points (five points, seven points created from assists)

Diana Taurasi scored 13 of Phoenix's 24 points in the first quarter

Taurasi scored 15 of Phoenix's first 28 points

Taurasi scored nine of Phoenix's 19 third quarter points

Taurasi's fifth point today was her 600th against the Sky in her career. She is third all-time in opponent scoring against the Sky behind Tina Charles (816) and Angel McCoughtry (691)

Moriah Jefferson accounted for eight of Phoenix's 24 second quarter points (five points, three points created from assists)

Jefferson dished out five assists, creating 13 points in the third quarter

Jefferson accounted for five of the Mercury's 18 points in the fourth quarter (two points, three points created from assists)

Check out the Chicago Sky Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 30, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central