Sky Notebook: Kahleah Copper, Strong Defense Fuel Winning Start to '23 Season
New-look Sky are back in Chicago after two promising road wins to open their latest campaign
A mostly reconstituted Chicago Sky starting five took the floor against the Minnesota Lynx last Friday night for the team’s 2023 WNBA season opener and the makings of that unit of players truly signaled a new era for the franchise.
The short but sweet championship era fueled by the coming home of women’s basketball legend Candace Parker was done — later that night she tipped off her season with the juggernaut defending champions from Las Vegas in an attempt to win her third professional championship.
Previously quintessential Sky veteran stars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley weren’t available either, the first time in a decade neither woman was available for the team.
The differences were vast, even from the 26-win team from 2022, but the results looked similar from that team and the 2021 team that dominated its playoff run to memorably take over the “W.”
With two wins over the WNBA's opening weekend, the new Sky lineup showed early signs of promise, starting with that season opener in Minneapolis. Still, the needs of a mostly restructured roster prevail and Sky fans expect should expect the rest of the season to be used to work out as much of the team’s kinks together on the court as possible.
That shouldn’t be too far gone a concept for Sky followers, who saw injuries and inconsistent play mar the early games after Parker first joined the team — that ‘21 team also won its first two games before losing seven in a row and winning seven in a row after that.
Not to say that history will repeat itself in any way from that truly unique championship season, it’s just that very little is settled from late May in a WNBA season.
Here are a few notes after the Sky's first two wins:
Copper’s red hot start
KFC is now the official sponsor of the Sky — Kahleah “Freakin” Copper that is.
Once a show-stealing second option to Candace Parker, Copper is now the team’s undisputed star and she’s looked completely ready for that role in her first two games, scoring 20 points in the opening win at Target Center, a tough performance that marked her 16th WNBA game with 20 points or more.
Copper kept it going with another team-leading performance Sunday in Phoenix with 15 points as the Sky overtook the Mercury 75-69 in an emotional day at the Footprint Center which saw Brittney Griner play her first game in front of her home fans since the ‘21 WNBA Finals against the Sky.
After being mentored by Parker from the previous two seasons, Copper appears to be adjusting well to her new leadership role.
The 28-year-old is the last remaining core piece from the 2021 championship team, with whom she was recognized as the Finals MVP.
The Mighty Deflector
In February, head coach and general manager James Wade made a significant free-agent acquisition by signing center/guard Elizabeth Williams, whom he deemed to be a crucial addition to his vision for the team's success in Chicago this season.
Williams, a 2020 All-Defensive team member, has proven already to be an excellent defender for the Sky and was even recognized with a postgame prize — a WWE title belt — awarded by Wade after Friday night's game for the most deflections.
Williams made two crucial blocks against the Lynx and recorded 14 points.
Credit to the bench
Off-season signee Alanna Smith made her Sky debut on Friday and set a new career high of 15 points. Smith also contributed defensively with two steals and four blocks, which were also career-high achievements.
Additionally, guard Rebekah Gardener matched her regular-season career high in steals by taking the ball away from the Lynx four times, adding to the Sky's impressive 14 total steals that night.
On Sundays' game, guard Dana Evans played a big part in the team's win where she saw more playing time than in her previous game and recorded 13 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Following the game, Copper praised Evans for setting the defensive tone on the court and acknowledged the positive impact she has had on the team.
Isabelle Harrison out indefinitely
The Sky announced Tuesday that forward Isabelle Harrison is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a torn left meniscus.
The 6-foot-3 forward was another one of Wade's free-agent signings to enhance the team’s front court with additional size, a crucial need after losing Parker and Azura Stevens to free agency.
Harrison spent her last four seasons with the Dallas Wings.
No place like home!
After a five-day break, the Sky (2-0) return to action tonight to play their home opener against former Sky star Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics (1-1) at Wintrust Arena.