FirstWNBAin SD.
Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky at the Sanford Pentagon — the first WNBA game ever played in South Dakota, and a homecoming of sorts for Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts.
A lot of these players are people I've watched on TV for years, and now they're right in front of me in a gym like the Pentagon whereyou don't miss much.
01 · A First for South Dakota
The first WNBA game ever played in the state.
The first WNBA game ever played in South Dakota happened tonight at the Sanford Pentagon. Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky — and it ended up feeling a lot more competitive than you'd expect from a preseason game.
02 · The Room
Nate Tibbetts coming home gave the night a different tone.
Nate Tibbetts coming back to this region as the head coach of Phoenix gave the whole night a different tone. You could feel it early. The Mercury had real support in the building, and it carried throughout the game.
Add in the SDSU connection on the coaching staff, and Sioux Falls showed up for them in a big way — hundreds of miles from Phoenix, but it didn't feel like it.
03 · Behind the Camera
One of those assignments you stop and take in for a second.
From a photography standpoint, this was one of those assignments you stop and take in for a second. A lot of these players are people I've watched on TV for years, and now they're right in front of me in a gym like the Pentagon where you don't miss much.
As for the photos — I hope you like them. Don't stop scrolling until you see the K-9 that can detect bombs and firearms with his nose.
04 · The Final
Phoenix controlled the game.
Phoenix controlled most of the game and came away with the win.
05 · Gratitude
Thank you to the people who open the door.
Big thank you to Ian and my friends at KELO for the invite — really cool to be part of a night that's a first for South Dakota.
Contact sheet · 48 frames
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