Candace Parker makes WNBA history in win against the Mystics
By: Nina Cray
Two-time WNBA MVP and Olympic-gold medalist Candace Parker, 36, finished Sunday’s game (May 22nd) with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. This makes Parker just the 3rd player in WNBA history with multiple triple-doubles. She is the first with multiple regular-season triple-doubles.
Parker completed her triple-double in the final minute of the Chicago Sky vs. Mystics win with an assist to Courtney Vandersloot. The final score of the game was 82-73.
“She was adamant about me getting my 10th assist,” Parker said about her teammate Vandersloot. “So, you know that’s why I love this group. You know, I think we play for another, we get hype for others’ successes and we celebrate it, and I think that’s huge.”
This feat marks just the 11th triple-double in the league’s 26 seasons, and Parker is the oldest to do it.
Parker joins Sheryl Swoops and Courtney Vandersloot as the only WNBA players to have multiple triple-doubles.
Previously in her career, on July 28th, 2017, Parker had a triple-double with 11 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists.
Her impressive game Sunday also marked her 143rd career double-double, putting her at 4th in the WNBA.
Parker played 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks prior to playing with the Chicago Sky. She said her daughter, Lailaa, persuaded her to play in 2022, and after her first five games she is averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds and shooting 49.1 percent from the field.
Parker and the Chicago Sky take action next on Tuesday, May 24th at 8PM.
Sources:
May 23rd, 2022. Chicago Sky. “Candace Parker Makes WNBA History With Second Career Triple-Double in Win vs. Mystics, 82-73.” <https://sky.wnba.com/news/candace-parker-makes-wnba-history-with-second-career-triple-double-in-win-vs-mystics-82-73/>
Easterling, Evan. May 22, 2022. The New York Times. “At 36, Candance Parker Posts a Triple-Double, a W.N.B.A. Rarity.” <https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/22/sports/basketball/candace-parker-triple-double-wnba.html>
