Sky complete upset of top-seeded Sun to book ticket to WNBA Finals
Canada's Kia Nurse injures knee as Aces beat Mercury to force decisive Game 5
Courtney Vandersloot and the Chicago Sky are back in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2014 thanks in big part to Candace Parker's decision to come home.
Vandersloot scored 19 points and Kahleah Copper added 18 to help the Sky beat the top-seeded Connecticut Sun 79-69 on Wednesday night.
"We were missing one piece, and it was Candace Parker," Vandersloot said. "We knew what she brought to us. She was going to take us to this point right here. Whether we win a championship or not, she changed this franchise."
Parker, who returned home to Chicago this season after spending the first 13 years of her career in Los Angeles, finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
"It feels unbelievable," Parker said. "It's a full circle moment. To look up in the stands and just see all the people that I started playing basketball in front of. It's super special."
WATCH | Sky stun Sun to reach Finals:
Chicago was .500 during the regular season, but a big reason was that Parker was sidelined for the first part of the year with an ankle injury. Once she returned, the team started to get going.
The Sky jumped all over Connecticut behind Vandersloot. She hit two threes to help build a 13-2 advantage less than three minutes into the first quarter. Her ability to connect from long-range helped transform Chicago's offensive approach in the game.
"She was knocking down the three, and I think it just makes us a different ballclub," Parker said. "We always preach to be aggressive. We're a different team when that happens, and I just love the way she adjusts."
The <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagosky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagosky</a> and Coach James Wade embrace <a href="https://twitter.com/Candace_Parker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Candace_Parker</a> as she comes over after helping them punching their ticket to the WNBA Finals 🧡<br><br>In just her first season with the Sky, Parker has helped lead this team to a Finals appearance for the first time since 2014 ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/2f2YC8xi8E">pic.twitter.com/2f2YC8xi8E</a>
—@WNBAThe Sky, who held a seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, opened the period with an 8-2 run to put the game away.
Jonquel Jones led the way for the Sun with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Natisha Hiedeman added 16 points off the bench, hitting five 3-pointers.
"I can't say exactly why we didn't come out with that enthusiasm and energy that we needed," Jones said. "I think it was definitely a big factor. Shots just weren't falling."
Connecticut was able to trim the deficit to three in the second quarter, but the Sky then finished the half on a 16-6 run. The Sun would never get closer than that the rest of the way.
It was the first time that the No. 1 seed hasn't reached the finals since the WNBA changed its playoff format in 2016.
"It's certainly a sad and disappointed locker room," Sun coach Curt Miller said. "It's just a disappointing eight-day stretch where we just were out-coached, we were out-played. It just felt like we were always on our heels this series."
Aces throttle Mercury
The Las Vegas Aces were embarrassed by their previous two games, a pair of losses that put them on the brink of elimination.
They took it personally, got back to doing what they do best and now have a chance to clinch a spot in the WNBA Finals at home.
Chelsea Gray scored 22 points and the Aces used a massive third quarter run to beat the Phoenix Mercury 93-76, evening the WNBA semifinals at 2-all.
"It was just a change in attitude," said Aces guard Kelsey Plum, who had 20 points and six assists. "For us to get beat the way we did the previous two games, it's humbling. You have to look at what can I do better as an individual, what can I do to help the team and I'm really proud everyone just bought in tonight."
WATCH | Aces rout Mercury in Game 4:
The Aces got off to a good start for the first time in three games and ran away from the Mercury with a 26-2 run to begin the third quarter.
A'ja Wilson bounced back from a shaky Game 3 with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Riquna Williams provided a lift with 17 points. Gray hit four 3s and Las Vegas shot 11 of 22 from the arc to set up a decisive Game 5 Friday in Las Vegas. The winner faces the Sky.
"That's how we play basketball," Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said.
Phoenix had to play without guard Sophie Cunningham due to a calf strain, then lost Canadian guard Kia Nurse to a right knee injury 39 seconds into the game.
Nurse went down in agony after having a shot blocked by Wilson. She limped off gingerly and returned to the bench in street clothes in the third quarter, the Mercury had a hard time shaking what appeared to be serious injury to one of their key players.
"I think that threw them for a big punch," Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said. "I think it showed how important Kia Nurse is for us."
WATCH | Nurse leaves early with knee injury:
The Mercury were sharp early, thanks to a lift from Shey Peddy (13 points), but were disjointed at both ends during the Aces' third-quarter run.
Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith had 14 points each to lead Phoenix.
"You knew they were going to respond and today we knew that coming," Taurasi said. "We just didn't the things done that you need to beat a really good team."
Las Vegas won the series' first game, but the Mercury won in consecutive routs to take a 2-1 series lead.
Phoenix set WNBA records for points (117) and points in a half (68) to win Game 2, then played one of its best all-around games of the season to move within one win of its first WNBA Finals since winning the 2014 title.
After being forced to play the first home game at Arizona State — Disney On Ice was previously scheduled at the Footprint Center — the Mercury returned to their actual home for Game 4, playing the second game of a doubleheader following a Suns and Lakers preseason NBA game.
Las Vegas swarmed the Mercury to start the third quarter, dropping in 3s and getting out on the break as the crowd groaned, extending the lead to 75-48. The Aces withstood a Phoenix fourth quarter run and Liz Cambage's fifth foul to earn a chance to clinch the series at home.
"We just fell in the trap of not being as aggressive and on the same page defensively,"Â Brondello said.
