WNBA FINALS: PHOENIX VS. CHICAGO

October 17, 2021

Sandy Brondello

Phoenix Mercury

Game 4: Postgame

Sky 80, Mercury 74

Q. You seem like you got a lot of what you were trying to get done defensively for the majority of this game, and then Quigley started to heat it up there with those three-pointers and they got their momentum going from there. Do you think that was kind of the turning point when they made it tight in the fourth?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Yeah, without a doubt. Allie made some really big shots for them, got them back into the game. We left her open, and she made them. Just had some little breakdowns at the wrong time, but we had some really good looks down the other end that we just missed. So it was just makes and misses near the end, but I think that definitely changed momentum.

Q. You guys are up 72-65 and then there's not another basket you guys make, just Diana's two free throws. There's a lot of lay-ups at the rim. You can't afford to miss those in a game like this, can you?

SANDY BRONDELLO: No, but they tried hard. We had some really good looks. Diana had really good looks. We just missed them, which is unfortunate. It would have been nice to be going back to a Game 5 now, but it's not going to happen this year.

You know, we're right there. Like I said, we couldn't score. Our momentum totally changed. But we had some pretty easy looks and just didn't go. It wasn't our night.

Q. Especially given the fact that you guys finally fought through the first round, the second round, got through the semi to the first Finals, did that maybe make this sting a little more knowing how close you were?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Yeah. They're champions, they came from sixth, one spot below us. It's hard to make the WNBA Finals. It's really hard. People think you should do it every single year, but it's really hard. Things need to happen at the right time, and we found some great chemistry and we fought really hard. We won our first, we had some close games in the early rounds, but we had so much belief in each other and ourselves, and that helped.

It's fun being in the Finals. It's been a few years for us. We have to remember that feeling, how hard we worked to get here, and move past it and forward.

Q. For Diana specifically, it had been seven years since she'd been here, battled through a foot and ankle injury to get here. Does it hurt knowing what it took for her to get to this point and knowing that at 39 that there are no guarantees about getting back?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Yeah, without a doubt. Diana has been getting injections just to play. That shows a lot about her toughness. She's going to need some time off now to heal the foot.

One of the toughest players -- we wouldn't be here without her. We know that. I think every -- it's just like Chicago, when they got healthy, too, they're a pretty deep team.

So proud of Diana. She fought back, no training, and she played as hard as she could. Really proud of her. But all the team, too. Obviously there's a lot of disappointment in our locker room, as there should be, but I'm proud of how hard we worked just to get here.

Q. Tough loss, obviously, but what can you say about the Sky? What was it in the end that really turned the momentum for your team, and what can you tell us about that?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Well, you know, Allie Quigley, that changed the momentum big time. Just making shots. They're veterans, just like us. We're a very veteran team. They've got a very savvy point guard. They've got a shooter. Copper, we contained her tonight. We left Candace open one time and she shoots a three. We know what Allie is going to do. Some miscommunication, shoots the three, and then Dolson comes in and hurts them.

They've played with each other for a long time. Even though Candace, this is her first year, she's a very intelligent basketball player and was able to fit in very nicely with this team.

Q. I'm just wondering, is there some bitter sweetness to this? Obviously you guys were hoping to win the series, but to have your husband be a part of the winning team. What is that like for you guys, and have you had a chance to speak with him since the final buzzer?

SANDY BRONDELLO: No, I gave him a hug after the game. Of course I'm happy for him but I'm sad for us. I'd rather win. I'd rather be going back to Game 5 and let the best team win.

No, I'm pissed (laughing), but I'll be happy for him in a few days.

Q. What do you think the turning point was in that fourth quarter?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Allie Quigley. We were right there. Their defense went to another level. They were getting in passing lanes, they were trapping BG. We still got some really good looks, lay-ups. We missed them and they made them. But I think Allie really just changed the momentum with some of her makes. Got a little closer, and this is a team that executes well down the stretch, as well. You've got Vandersloot with the ball, you've got Quigley off the ball, and obviously Dolson coming in there and she made some big shots for them just with the screen-and-roll to the basket.

But I think Allie really changed the momentum of the game there, and we just missed a few. Maybe if we'd made a few of them, it would be a way more happier press conference, wouldn't it.

Q. What will you miss most about coaching this particular team?

SANDY BRONDELLO: I love coaching this team. That's what I say, this was one of the best teams -- you always remember the last one, but I just love their chemistry off the court. They spend a lot of time off the court enjoying each other. I like that. They come, and there's a lot of laughter at practice. We know when we need to lock in, but there's a lot of making fun of each other. You like being around people where you can go to work and they enjoy each other because it makes your job a little bit easier, as well.

I'll miss their competitive. It doesn't mean it's always smooth sailing, but I think we handle those things. I think we grew in our chemistry as the season progressed.

Q. How grateful are you that you were able to coach the Phoenix Mercury back to the WNBA Finals for the first time in seven years?

SANDY BRONDELLO: Yeah, that's the plan at the start of the year is trying to get us back to the WNBA Finals. You need a lot of good things to happen. I always say it's the team that's the most healthy and they're peaking at the right time and have the best chemistry. I think those two teams, it was Phoenix and Chicago by the end.

It's hard to get back here, and obviously we won it in 2014, we were close in 2018, we finally made it again here, and it's a lot of hard work that goes into it. But I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of it. I love coaching obviously in this league, but especially with the Phoenix Mercury. I think it's a great organization, and it's one big family.

Q. I know this team had to overcome a lot of obstacles this season. What does it mean to you to see all the growth within your players this year?

SANDY BRONDELLO: It means a lot. You know, obviously we went on a bit of a losing streak in the beginning, too, just Diana being out, that's a big piece of it. But trying to integrate new players into it and find our identity and being able to play together a little bit better than what we had started. It was just great to see how -- it's all about buy-in, isn't it. They want it so bad, but sometimes we're buying in, we're working really hard, and just the growth over the whole year. It was fun for me, and it wasn't always perfect, but I think that's where you learn the most.

I've just enjoyed just how all the pieces came together and enjoyed the successes and the failures by staying together. They're the easy teams to coach.