A WNBA Semifinals Game Three Preview: Phoenix vs. Minnesota , Indiana vs. Las Vegas
The WNBA Semifinals series hit the road for the first time as every team needs to win this pivotal game three for a bunch of different reasons...
In a best-of-five series, the third game becomes extremely pivotal. In some cases, it could be an elimination game. This Friday, it’s a tipping point for the four remaining teams in the WNBA playoffs. League MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse while the top seeded Minnesota Lynx head to PHX Arena to meet Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury.
So far this postseason, we’ve been gifted with competitive series’ and close games when the stakes were high. There’s plenty to look out for, from individual players to historical trends and specific matchups. So to get you ready for tonight, let’s dive in with a quick primer!
Las Vegas Aces @ Indiana Fever
Series Tied 1-1
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
A Quick Overview:
This series has been back-and-forth so far with each team winning a game apiece in blowout fashion. After being tortured in the midrange by Fever guards Kelsey Mitchell and Odyssey Sims, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon made adjustments and took advantage of a focused A’ja Wilson. The league MVP went straight at Aliyah Boston to the tune of 25 points on 10/18 shooting while NaLyssa Smith put up a playoff career high of 18 points and 7 rebounds. Mitchell, who can run a bit hot-and-cold away from Indianapolis, now has the comfortable confines of her home hoop to look forward to this evening. A bounce back game is on the rable.
Make-or-Break Matchup:
Game two proved that you can’t really stop A’ja Wilson, you can only hope to contain her for a game or two. Now that the four time MVP is cooking again, the attention turns to the matchup at the power forward spot. Natasha Howard won the first game, while Smith countered in the second with one of the best performances of her career. With both teams lacking a long wing presence, this matchup becomes one of the most important. I’m curious how Howard responds now that Smith has gotten a bit more comfortable being physical inside. It’s a real vet vs. upstart young player dynamic and that can lead to some fun results in the right circumstances.
Players To Watch (Indiana):
I’m curious how Stephanie White handles Bri Turner. The veteran forward had a great game one performance but appeared to be somewhat figured out in the next matchup. Is there another wrinkle or way to utilize her that forces Becky Hammon to think differently and adjust? Beyond her, the bench has to contribute some type of scoring. You aren’t going to win many games with six bench points total. The benefit for the Fever is that their team shooting numbers jump substantially at home. If Kelsey Mitchell can get going again, it’s could get loud in the barn.
Players To Watch (Las Vegas):
Now that Wilson seems to have her game figured out, I’m curious about Chelsea Gray and what she’s able to bring the next few games. One of the most important things to consider with the Point Gawd is that a big part of her turnaround late this season has come from a renewed focus on sharing the ball. So while she only finished with six points on 2/6 shooting in game two, she dished 10 assists while getting three steals on the other end. It feels like as long as she’s able to find a shooter, the Aces are an extremely tough team to stop.
Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury
Series Tied 1-1
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
A Quick Overview:
Depending on how this series (and the next one) goes, game two between Phoenix and Minnesota might be one of those historically significant matchups we talk about for years. The Mercury climbed out of a 20 point hole to force overtime and steal the second game in the series from the Lynx. Now, homecourt turns over to Phoenix and there’s an opportunity here to really do something none of us expected. It will take a herculean effort, on par with the second half of that game on Tuesday, but now anything is truly possible.
Make-or-Break Matchup:
It all comes down to the Phoenix bench. Nate Tibbetts keeps his rotation strictly to eight players, for better or worse. I’ve personally been surprised that Kalani Brown has never been called upon to counter the Lynx’s height or that Kitija Laksa and Lexi Held haven’t been asked to spell anyone as 3-And-D specialists. It paid off in game two but it also requires one (or even two) of the three to shoot the ball well and score a lot. DeWanna Bonner went 2/9 on Tuesday but Sami Whitcomb’s 13 point performance was enough. That was enough to outscore Minnesota’s bench and keep Natisha Hiedeman, who has struggled so far this series, at bay.
Players To Watch (Phoenix):
At this point, you’re sort of on the rollercoaster ride when it comes to Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally. They can give you a lot or a little any given game but, most times, you can live with one having a good night and the other not. What you absolutely cannot afford is both of them having an off evening. Not in this series.
But beyond the two of them, DeWanna Bonner is the player Phoenix needs to awaken if they want to have a chance to win game three and potentially game four at home. The veteran forward is 2/13 through two games with only four total points. While she’s been active on the boards it hasn’t been enough. Any type of double digit production from her raising the Mercury’s floor tremendously.
Players To Watch (Minnesota):
Can you ask more than greatness out of Napheesa Collier? I genuinely wonder. She’s so consistent and yet there is another level that I sometimes wish we could see a bit more. It’s not a superstar gear but more of a mental and intangible switch, the one where a player just says “yeah, get on my back and get out of the way.” It’s tough because Minnesota, as a team, isn’t built or structured like that. But I am curious if we see it at any point in this series.
Beyond that, the Lynx backcourt has played pretty well over the course of two games. Bridget Carlton had a bad night on Tuesday but will likely bounce back. What Minnesota needs is for Natisha Hiedeman to start to wake up a bit. The Lynx guard has scored just five total points across the first two matchups. For someone that was a contender for Sixth Player of the Year, you’re gonna be needed especially on the road.