New York Liberty center Stefanie Dolson (31) and New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney (44) defend against Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
The defending champion Sky await the winner of the Connecticut-Dallas playoff series, with the deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Chicago Sky guards Allie Quigley (14) and Kahleah Copper (2) react after a three point shot against the New York Liberty during the second half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. The Chicago Sky won 90-72. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Allie Quigley and Kahleah Copper each added 15 points while Courtney Vandersloot had 14 points and 10 assists for the second-seeded Sky. Chicago has now won four consecutive elimination contests dating to back-to-back single-elimination games last year en route to the franchise’s first WNBA championship.
Chicago Sky head coach James Wade instructs his team during the second half of a WNBA basketball playoff game against the New York Liberty Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. The Chicago Sky won 90-72. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
The seventh-seed Liberty shocked the Sky by winning Game 1. Chicago routed New York by a WNBA playoffs record 38 points in the second game, racing out to a 31-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looking back.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Rebekah Gardner (35) during the second half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. The Chicago Sky won 90-72. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
“We knew what we had to do. They were all on a mission and you could tell it was a collective mission,” Chicago coach James Wade said. “We decided it was go-time and show what we were made of and responded in Game 2 and built on it after that.”
Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Natasha Howard (6) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
This one was a lot more competitive. Chicago led 25-20 after one quarter and extended the advantage to 54-42 at the half as Parker had seven points, six assists and seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) pass the ball over the head of New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter, including a five-point possession by Sabrina Ionescu to get within 68-65 that brought the sold-out lower bowl of Barclays Center to its feet.
New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney (44) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley (14) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
This was New York’s first home playoff game since 2017 when the Liberty lost in the second round to Washington. New York hadn’t made the semifinals since 2015.
Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) reacts after being charged with a foul against New York Liberty center Han Xu (21) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
That euphoria didn’t last long though as Chicago scored the next 16 points, including consecutive 3-pointers by Quigley to end the run and put the game away with just over 4 minutes left.
Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker, left, fouls New York Liberty center Han Xu (21) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Betnijah Laney scored 15 points and Ionescu and Natasha Howard each had 14 for the Liberty.
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney (44) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
“(Chicago) is a really good team, see the chemistry the have,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “They have poise and they made plays and we couldn’t. We rushed a few shots when they made some plays. Proud of these girls, proud of this team. The more experienced team won tonight.”
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Natasha Howard (6) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
STAT STUFFERS
Parker fell just short of the fourth triple-double in WNBA playoff history. She was looking to join Vandersloot, Lisa Leslie and Margo Dydek.
Chicago Sky forward Ruthy Hebard (24) drives o the basket against New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
BEING RECOGNIZED
Chicago Sky coach and general manager James Wade was chosen as the WNBA Executive of the Year on Monday. The voting panel is made up of one basketball executive from each WNBA team, with each representative submitting top three choices. Wade won by being named on the most ballots (11). … Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and tennis great Billie Jean King were in attendance at the Barclays Center.
New York Liberty center Stefanie Dolson defends against Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
