The Chicago Sky kicked off their 2021 season in dominant fashion, securing a 70-56 win over the Washington Mystics.
Candace Parker, the former WNBA MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, impressed in her Sky debut. Making the return to her hometown team, Parker finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Kaleah Cooper led the Sky in scoring (19 points), adding on eight rebounds and two steals.
The Mystics were shorthanded in the matchup, playing without former MVP Elena Delle Donne and Myisha Hines-Allen. It was a disastrous night offensively, with the team shooting just 25% from the field and 13% from 3-point range.
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Tina Charles, in her Mystics’ debut, was the only player to score in double figures. She finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
Both teams were aggressive in the first quarter, trading leads. Chicago took a slim lead after the first quarter then dominated for the rest of the game.
Charles’s and-one conversion cut Chicago’s lead to four with just over 7 minutes left in the half. The Sky responded with a 17-5 run and entered the locker room with a 46-30 lead.
Despite their best efforts, the Mystics were unable to make the game competitive as they trailed by double digits for the remainder of the contest with the lead for Chicago peaking at 21 points.