The WNBA has seen dynasties, superteams, and dominant favorites. But few stories compare to the fairy-tale run of the Chicago Sky in 2021 — a team that entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and somehow ended the season lifting the championship trophy.
At the start of the season, Chicago had reason to dream. Candace Parker, a hometown legend and one of the greatest players in basketball history, had signed with the Sky, returning to play in the city where she grew up. Expectations rose instantly. But the regular season didn’t go as planned. Injuries, inconsistency, and chemistry issues left the Sky with a losing record (16–16). By the time the playoffs arrived, many doubted they’d even get past the first round.
Then came the magic.
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In the opening round, Chicago dismantled the Dallas Wings with Parker leading the charge.
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Next, they stunned the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, showing grit and resilience in a hostile road environment.
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In the semifinals, they faced the powerhouse Connecticut Sun, who had the league’s best record. The Sky shocked the basketball world by winning the series 3–1, fueled by clutch shooting from Kahleah Copper, who emerged as a breakout star.
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Finally, in the WNBA Finals, the Sky met the Phoenix Mercury — led by Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Few gave Chicago a chance against such a battle-tested team.
But the Sky didn’t just compete. They dominated. In Game 4, in front of a packed home crowd at Wintrust Arena, the Sky closed out the series 3–1. Copper earned Finals MVP honors, Parker delivered veteran leadership and crucial plays, and Chicago celebrated its first-ever WNBA championship.
What made the run unforgettable wasn’t just the wins, but the way they won — with resilience, teamwork, and heart. From a .500 regular season to climbing the league’s highest mountain, the Sky became the embodiment of the underdog spirit.
Fans poured into downtown Chicago for the victory parade, chanting Parker’s name as she hoisted the trophy. For a city used to sports heartbreak, the Sky gave them something new: history.
As Candace Parker said after the final buzzer:
“This is for Chicago. This is for the little girl that grew up in Naperville dreaming of this moment. We’re champions.”
It was more than a title — it was a miracle run that cemented the Chicago Sky as one of the greatest Cinderella stories in WNBA history.
