Chicago brings home its first WNBA championship trophy

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The Chicago Sky celebrate after winning Game Four of the 2021 WNBA Finals against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It’s the city’s first-ever WNBA title.

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

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Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

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They were up against difficult odds. Despite entering the game’s fourth quarter behind by nine points, the Sky managed to win the game helped in part by Allie Quigley’s 26 points and Parker’s 13 rebounds. Sky forward Kahleah Copper was awarded MVP honors for the championship.

At the sound of the final buzzer, Parker ran courtside and embraced her family.

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? you, #skytown pic.twitter.com/6aBY8XwBag

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 17, 2021

It was a sold-out crowd in Chicago’s Wintrust Arena for the game.

«It feels amazing,» Parker said. «Look at the city, man. They all showed up.»

Former President Barack Obama gave his hometown team some praise on Twitter, writing, «Congrats to our new WNBA champs, @ChicagoSky! I couldn’t be prouder of this team — they worked hard for this moment, and have made our city proud.»

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The Sky’s win made coach James Wade the third Black male coach to win a WNBA championship.

POV: You just won a #WNBA Championship ? pic.twitter.com/M26q64SJiJ

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 18, 2021

Before the game Sunday, the WNBA players’ union took out a full-page print ad in the New York Times in support of reproductive rights and against Texas’ six-week abortion ban.

NPR’s Code Switch examined how Black women often lead with their activism, on and off the court.

This story originally appeared in the Morning Edition live blog.