A renewed sense of confidence, hard-nosed defense and a mid-game bit of productivity couldn’t carry the Chicago Sky over the Atlanta Dream in an 82-68 defeat Friday night. Interim head coach Emre Vatansever took his first WNBA loss.
It was the Dream that got off on the right track by getting up a lot of shots and scoring right away. But the Sky were able to match them in their transition offense and were able to answer back both inside with Elizabeth Williams and from beyond the arc with Alanna Smith.
However, it quickly became apparent that Atlanta was shooting the ball at a higher percentage, whereas Chicago was struggling to convert on some good looks. The Sky’s aggressive defense was keeping the game in contention.
The tenacious tandem of Kahleah Copper and Courtney Williams were scoreless throughout the opening quarter, whereas the other hot-shooting tandem of Marina Mabrey and Alanna Smith was neutralized.
Meanwhile, Atlanta, led by Allisha Grey and Cheyenne Parker, took advantage of the Sky’s weakness from the field and maximized their fast break and motion offense, leaving the Chicago defense scrambling.
At the end of the first, the Dream led 21-15.
The second quarter started with the Sky roaring back with a jumper by Courtney Williams and a transition…
