A recap of the Dream’s 87-73 defeat at the Chicago Sky on Saturday night:
How the game was won: Elena Delle Donne scored a season-high 27 points and the Sky (4-0) set a franchise mark for best start in a season despite missing two starters. The Dream was missing Angel McCoughtry, out with an injury. In an all-around team effort, the Sky bench outscored the Dream's bench 35-28 as Allie Quigley scored 13, Courtney Vandersloot had 10 points and 11 assists, and Courtney Clements and Markeisha Gatling each scored 10. The Sky led by as many as 11 points late in the third quarter on the way to a 65-57 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes. The Dream never got closer than eight points down the stretch.
Sky update: Chicago guard Epiphanny Prince, who averaged 15 points per game last season, rejoined the team after a lengthy personal leave but didn't play Saturday. Also out is veteran center Sylvia Fowles, sidelined until June following off-season hip surgery. … Chicago's previous best start was three wins to open last season.
Dream update: Erika DeSouza led Atlanta (2-1) with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Shoni Schimmel had 17. … The Dream was without McCoughtry, a two-time WNBA all-star. She was a late scratch with an unspecified shoulder injury. McCoughtry averages 24 points per game.
Quoting them:
“We’re thrilled to be 4-0 and have all W’s. But it’s early and we have to continue to get better and improve. Even tonight there were some lapses that we can’t have.” — Sky forward Elena Delle Donne
“(Angel’s) better. I think it was more of a precautionary measure for her because we play tomorrow. If that had been late in the season and we needed her, I’m sure she would have toughed it out.” — Dream coach Michael Cooper.
“I thought we were a little timid in the game. We conquered in the first half, but didn’t do what we needed to in the second to stay in the game.” — Cooper.
“I thought the bench came in and did a really good job. They got the game ball tonight.” — Sky coach Pokey Chatman.
