Daily Briefing — May 23, 2022: CP3ple-double — Candace Parker makes history in Chicago win

Talk about an embarrassment of riches.

But first, read:

• Basketball News’ Mark Schindler dove into everything the first two weeks of the season have had to offer — I don’t normally recommend Power Rankings, but no matter your favorite team or your favorite player, there’s something worth reading
• The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman profiled one of the true pioneers of women’s sports, the late Dr. Christine Grant, and her impact on the current landscape

W Roundup

Minnesota: Released center Hannah Sjerven, her hardship terminating with big Natalie Achonwa available ahead of schedule

Watch List, Monday, May 23

(All times in Eastern)

Los Angeles @ Las Vegas, 10 p.m., League Pass/Facebook (Local: SpectrumSportsnet, My LV TV)

Sunday, May 22 recap

Connecticut beat Indiana, 92-70. The Sun shot 51.5% from the field and 46.2% from three while holding the Fever to 34.9% and 17.6%, respectively; the teams combined for 49 fouls.

Big Alyssa Thomas led Connecticut with 18 points on 7-for-12 from the field and 4-for-6 from the line, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in 27 minutes; center Brionna Jones had 18 points on 6-for-10 FG (6-6 FT), six rebounds (five offensive) and two steals against two turnovers and five fouls in 29 minutes; combo guard Courtney Williams notched 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting (1-3 3pt.), four rebounds and four assists against three turnovers; point guard Jasmine Thomas left eight minutes in with a knee injury.

Indiana was led by combo forward Victoria Vivians’ 15 points on 4-for-11 from the field, 2-for-5 from three, and 5-for-6 from the line, two assists and two steals without a turnover; combo forward Emily Engstler had 11 points on 5-for-10 shooting (0-2 3pt.) and seven rebounds (four offensive) in 19 minutes; center Queen Egbo notched nine points on 3-for-9 FG, eight rebounds (four offensive), two assists and two steals.

(Editor’s note: at least Fever fans got to celebrate the good times…)

Chicago beat Washington, 82-73. The Mystics jumped out to a 16-8 lead, but the Sky responded with a 14-2 run; the game was back-and-forth and within two possessions from the start of the second quarter through the late third, and then Chicago had a 22-5 run. The Sky shot 16.5 percentage points better from the field, but the Mystics shot 17.9 points better from three; Chicago won the rebounding battle by eight; Washington notched 10 steals.

The Sky were led by Candace Parker’s second-career triple-double, with 16 points (7-13 FG, 2-6 3pt.), 13 rebounds and 10 assists against only one turnover, in 30 minutes — the first 15/13/10 game in W history, the first triple-double in just 30 minutes and making Parker just the third player with multiple trip-dubs (per Across The Timeline and Her Hoop Stats); wing Kahleah Copper made her season debut, finishing with 12 points on 5-for-11 shooting (1-3 3pt.) and four rebounds in 27 minutes; backup combo forward Rebekah Gardner notched 11 points on 4-for-6 from the field (1-2 3pt.), three rebounds and three steals against three turnovers and four fouls in 23 minutes; big Azurá Stevens came off the bench for the first time this season, and recorded 13 points on 5-for-8 from the field (1-3 3pt.) in 22 minutes.

Off-ball guard Ariel Atkins led the Mystics with 20 points on 6-for-16 from the field and 4-for-9 from three, three rebounds and three assists against five fouls in 30 minutes; big Elena Delle Donne had 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting (4-6 3pt.), seven rebounds, two assists and three steals against two turnovers; center Shakira Austin notched 14 points on 6-for-10 FG, five rebounds and three assists without a turnover in 23 minutes; center Elizabeth Williams scored nine points (4-6 FG) off the bench in 12 minutes.