Sky Defeat Liberty 101-53, Conclude Two-Game Preseason Schedule
May 7, 2024 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
CHICAGO - The Chicago Sky took down the New York Liberty, 101-53, to conclude a two-game preseason schedule that also featured a loss to Minnesota on May 3. By defeating the Liberty, the Sky stayed undefeated in the preseason against New York all time, moving to 6-0.
The Sky's 48-point win over the Liberty in tonight's game is the largest victory in Sky preseason history (dating back to 2008).
48 points (101-53) - 2024 - May 7 against New York
39 points (84-45) - 2011 - May 23 against China
34 points (93-59) - 2016 - May 1 against New York
33 points (92-59) - 2015 - May 28 against China
32 points (89-57) - 2013 - May 14 against New York
Sky guard Marina Mabrey led the team in scoring with 20 points on 58.3% shooting (7 of 12) against the Liberty. Dana Evans recorded 19 points, five rebounds and a game-leading seven assists.
Sky rookie forward Angel Reese made her second consecutive start of the preseason, scoring 13 points on 60.0% shooting (6 of 10) while adding five rebounds, two steals and an assist. Chennedy Carter scored 11 points off the bench. In addition, Brianna Turner made her Sky preseason debut in the game against the Liberty.
Chicago shot 52.7% from the field (39 of 74) and 44.0% from beyond the arc (11 of 25) while going for over 100 points for the first time in preseason history. They beat New York 41-32 on the boards, 21-12 in assists and led by as much as 50 points.
No Liberty player scored in double figures.
The Sky also fell to Minnesota on May 3, 81-92, in their 2024 preseason opener.
Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Brynna Maxwell made their preseason Sky and WNBA debuts on May 3 against Minnesota. In the same game, Lindsay Allen, Michaela Onyenwere, Carter and Kysre Gondrezick made their debuts in a Sky jersey.
Allen scored 17 points, tied for game lead, along with four rebounds and three assists. She made four of her six field goal attempts and went 8 for 8 from the free-throw line. Reese, the Sky's No. 7 overall selection in the 2024 draft, recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, an assist, a block and two steals. She shot 90.0% (9 of 10) from the free-throw line.
Off the bench, Carter scored 12 points and Onyenwere recorded 11 points. In addition to Allen's 17, the Sky outscored Minnesota 48-41 in bench points. In the same game, Chicago paced Minnesota in offensive rebounds, out-rebounding them 12-8 in that regard.
Across both preseason games, Evans led the Sky in scoring with 32 total points (16.0 per game). Reese recorded 26 total points (13.0 per game), Mabrey scored 27 (13.5 per game), Carter scored 23 (11.5 per game) and Allen scored 23 (11.5 per game).
Evans, Mabrey, Elizabeth Williams, Reese and Diamond DeShields started both preseason games.
The Sky open up the regular season on the road against Dallas on May 15. Tipoff for the season opener is slated for 7 p.m. CST. That game kicks off a three-game road stretch (at Dallas, at Dallas, at New York) before the Sky host their home opener against Connecticut on May 25. The home opener tips off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBSSN.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 7, 2024
- Sky Defeat Liberty 101-53, Conclude Two-Game Preseason Schedule - Chicago Sky
- Phoenix Mercury to Unveil Permanent Banners as Part of Reimagined Ring of Honor During Home Opener on May 18 - Phoenix Mercury
- Los Angeles Sparks Move Games on May 24, May 26 and June 5 to Crypto.com Arena - Los Angeles Sparks
- State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION Includes New Studio Shows, the Most Games Broadcast - WNBA
- Las Vegas Aces Waive Angel Jackson - Las Vegas Aces
- Mystics Acquire Second Round Pick from Sun - Washington Mystics
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.
