Coach James Wade Believes Chicago Has Reached ‘Another Level of Play’

The Chicago Sky have advanced to the second-round after dispatching the New York Liberty in Tuesday’s Game 3, 90-72.

The defending champs won two straight games to close out the series after the Liberty after New York shocked the Sky in Game 1 with a 13-0 run to steal the opening game. The Sky came back with a vengeance next time out and won Game 2, 100-62. The Sky being able to recapture that magic during Game 3 is a good sign to Coach James Wade, who believes Chicago has reached “another level of play” through the first round.

“I think after the first game, we’ve added another level of play or sense of urgency — we were able to keep out composure and respond — I think for us, it starts on the defensive end.”

Wade’s confidence and evaluation couldn’t come at a better time for a Chicago team looking to be the first back-to-back champions since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-02. Those ambitions might happen, led by stalwart talents like Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper, Allie Quigley, and Courtney Vandersloot.