When news broke out that Angel Reese had sustained a season-ending wrist injury in Friday’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks, there was immediate cause for concern for the Chicago Sky.
How could the Sky possibly recover after losing their history-making rookie?
Thus came along veteran forward Isabelle Harrison. She filled the void by playing her best game of the season as the Sky trounced the visiting Dallas Wings 92-77 on Sunday. Harrison was strong on the block as she finished with 21 points while going 9-for-18 from the field. In addition, she was a solid presence on the defensive glass as she came away with nine rebounds, eight of them on the defensive end. She also was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
After spending the 2023 season injured, Harrison has been a healthy presence coming off the bench this year. She is currently averaging 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. This was the most points she has scored since Aug. 18, when she had 18 points against the Phoenix Mercury.
Afterwards, Harrison was asked about her confidence level as the game progressed, knowing she had big shoes to fill at a critical moment. She said:
I do always want to remain aggressive. I have belief in myself. I wanted to for sure step up with Angel being out today and still show that we can be a solid team. We have the pieces that we need. Just continue to stay aggressive.
Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon went on to say that Harrison did exactly what she needed to:
She played her role. She did what she was supposed to. She was dominant in the paint. She was physical from the very beginning. She made things very difficult for them on the defensive side of the ball where they wanted to get it to their bigs. She didn’t allow any easy entry passes and then she was rebounding the ball for us, running the floor for us, and defending the way that she did, it’s pretty tough. But then when the ball was inside to her, there was zero hesitation, she scored the ball. That’s what we want, don’t hesitate. You know what you can do, we trust and believe in it, get it done and that’s what she did.
Chennedy Carter led the way with a game-high 28 points, six assists and four rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. Dana Evans came off the bench to add 11 points and three 3-pointers.
In turn, the Sky are still in contention for the last remaining playoff spot, and eliminated Dallas in the process. Their postseason chances were enhanced by the Indiana Fever defeating the Atlanta Dream, giving Chicago sole possession of the eighth spot.
The Chicago Sky (13-22) will take on the Washington Mystics (11-24) on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
