WNBA playoffs 2019: Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm win in first spherical
SCHEDULE | SCOREBOARD | PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
The 2019 WNBA playoffs are underway. No. 5 seed Chicago beat eighth-seeded Phoenix 105-76 to achieve the second spherical. No. 6 Seattle, the defending WNBA champion, beat 7-seed Minnesota 84-74 to advance. Listed below are the highest storylines from the primary spherical.
And when you missed any of our different postseason content material:
+ From prodigy to prospect: Which manner will Diamond DeShields go subsequent?
+ Elena Delle Donne is espnW’s WNBA MVP, headlines all-league first crew
Wednesday’s outcomes
No. 5 Chicago Sky 105, No. eight Phoenix Mercury 75
In her second WNBA season and first playoff recreation, Diamond DeShields appeared the a part of the rising celebrity. Chicago cruised previous Phoenix, sending the Sky right into a much-anticipated showdown with Las Vegas within the second spherical Sunday (ESPN2, 5 p.m. ET). DeShields had 25 factors, capturing 52.6% from the sector, to associate with 4 rebounds and three assists. With Brittney Griner restricted due to a knee harm suffered within the second quarter, the Sky’s inside recreation thrived, too, as Astou Ndour and Stefanie Dolson every scored 16 factors, and Cheyenne Parker had 11. The Sky shot 53.2% total, and 50% (9 of 18) from Three-point vary. — Mechelle Voepel
After a two-year absence from the WNBA playoffs, the No. 5 seed Chicago Sky dominated injury-plagued No. eight Phoenix 105-76 in a first-round playoff recreation. Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (hamstring) did not play, and middle Brittney Griner was restricted by a knee harm suffered in second quarter. Griner, the WNBA’s main scorer within the common season, performed just below 14 minutes and scored six factors. Phoenix simply by no means actually jelled this season, as Taurasi performed in simply six video games due to accidents. However make no mistake, this was the Sky’s recreation, and so they transfer on to face Las Vegas in a single-elimination second-round recreation Sunday. Diamond DeShields led Chicago with 25 factors, and espnw first-team all-WNBA choice Courtney Vandersloot had 9 factors and 11 assists.
No. 6 Seattle Storm 84, No. 7 Minnesota Lynx 74
In a battle of the previous two groups to win WNBA titles, defending champion Seattle is the one nonetheless standing. The Storm beat Minnesota thanks largely to a splendid backcourt efficiency that was cheered on by the injury-sidelined Sue Chook. Jordin Canada, Chook’s understudy at level guard final yr as a rookie, had 26 factors, and fellow guard Jewell Loyd scored 22. The oddest factor about this recreation is that every crew’s main scorer this season was primarily shut down. Ahead Natasha Howard had solely two factors for the Storm, and guard Odyssey Sims had just one level for the Lynx.
Minnesota needed to like what it obtained from rookie Napheesa Collier, who was eight of 11 from the sector for 19 factors with 10 rebounds, and fellow ahead Damiris Dantas had 20 factors and 6 rebounds. These are two younger gamers to construct round, and the Lynx may have veteran middle Sylvia Fowles again subsequent season, too. And Sims, regardless of her struggles Wednesday, has been a powerful addition to the Lynx. Will Maya Moore return subsequent season? We’ll have to attend and see. And in a season during which the Storm did not have Chook or 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart, making it this far is sort of successful. — Mechelle Voepel
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Jordin Canada pulls the ball again, then makes use of a head pretend to blow by her defender for the layup to extend the Storm’s lead.
In a matchup of the final two WNBA title winners, the reigning champion Seattle Storm eradicated the Minnesota Lynx with an 84-74 first-round victory Wednesday at Angel of the Winds Enviornment in Everett. Storm guards Jordin Canada (a career-high 26 factors) and Jewell Loyd (22) mixed to outscore their Minnesota counterparts 48-1 as Seattle superior to tackle the No. Three seed L.A. Sparks in a second-round playoff recreation on Sunday.
Well-known followers readily available
Excited to cheer on @SeattleStorm with @mpinoe and so many followers! #WeRepSeattle pic.twitter.com/7gFJ1Ebdmk
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) September 12, 2019
In case you missed it
She has a blinding first title, a well-known final title, otherworldly expertise and a head-scratching résumé. @diamonddoesit1’s profession is stuffed with unanswered questions. The largest one: Can she be the best participant within the recreation? https://t.co/EM2SjfhZ90
— espnW (@espnW) September 11, 2019
From preseason favourite to first-round exit
A little bit of a rollercoaster journey being picked because the preseason favorites and having to finish the season like this. However we’re journey or die XFactor 🙅🏽♀️ Pleased with my crew. #WNBAPlayoffs
— Diana Taurasi’s Bun (@DT3sBun) September 12, 2019