Chicago Sky gets to enjoy break after win

Usually, the 24-hour rule is in effect.

That's how long Chicago Sky coach Pokey Chatman gives her players to enjoy a win … or contemplate a loss.

After Tuesday's 97-92 victory over the Atlanta Dream at the Allstate Arena, that rule is out the window.

The Sky will have a full seven days to bask in the win, and a stretch of 6 in the last seven games. The Sky will be off until July 28 as part of the WNBA all-star break.

Forward Elena Delle Donne, who had just 6 points at halftime Tuesday, exploded in the second half and finished with a game-high 27 points to spur the victory, which moved the Sky to 11-6 and into a close battle for first place in the Eastern Conference with the New York Liberty.

"I think we're in a great place," said Delle Donne, who won't get much of a break since she is a starter in Saturday's All-Star Game. "I'm really happy obviously with our offense. I feel like any given night someone can step up and just go off. Defensively, we're getting there. I think we're just going to peak at the right time.

"I'm also excited that we've got a little bit of a break now. Some people need to get healthy and it's always fun to just get away from it for a little bit and then come back and get back to work."

The Sky got its defense working much better in the third quarter.

After giving up 48 points to the Dream (7-10) in the first half, the Sky allowed just 14 points in the third quarter. The Sky never trailed in the fourth quarter.

"The turning point of the game was the start of the third quarter because we cleaned up some of the (defensive issues) we needed to clean up," Chatman said. "I thought we got a lot of deflections.

"It's hard to believe but we had 38 for the game, the most we've had all year. The guards started putting a lot of pressure on the perimeter, so the entry passes weren't as easy. We were collapsing, sinking, helping, you know, the dirty work that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet."

Guard Allie Quigley's efforts certainly showed up on the stat sheet. The former DePaul star had 23 points, including 15 in the first half when Delle Donne was struggling.

"I just try to go in there and be aggressive," said Quigley, who was 9 of 9 at the line and hit a pair of 3-pointers. "There are so many threats on this team that if you're aggressive, something's going to open up. It definitely felt good to see the first couple (shots) go in."

Like Delle Donne, the WNBA's leading scorer (24.3 ppg), Atlanta forward Angel McCoughtry, the league's second-leading scorer (20.9 ppg), also struggled at times offensively. She finished with 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

"It's an attack mentality," Chatman said of the Sky's defense on McCoughtry. "She was on the bench in foul trouble, for one, but we were also limiting her touches. She couldn't get (the ball) in her comfort zone. That helps, but I think just being aggressive and attacking her (was important)."

Guards Courtney Vandersloot and Cappie Pondexter also finished in double figures for the Sky with 19 and 12 points, respectively. The Sky played without starting forward Jessica Breland (ankle).

Reserve guard Matee Ajavon led Atlanta with 21 points.

Next game: Sky at Phoenix Mercury, July 28