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PODCAST: WNBA playoffs round 1 recap, Lynx/Sparks and Wings/Mercury

By Ben Dull

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 21: Lindsay Whalen #13 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to pass against the Los Angeles Sparks in Round One of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 21: Lindsay Whalen #13 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to pass against the Los Angeles Sparks in Round One of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In the opening round of the 2018 WNBA playoffs, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Dallas Wings 101-83, and the Los Angeles Sparks topped the Minnesota Lynx 75-68.

In this edition of the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast, host Ben Dull is joined first by Delmy Barillas (@DelmyBarillas) of LA Sports Access and Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) of WNBAinsidr/The Athletic Los Angeles to discuss Lynx/Sparks, including:

  • Nneka Ogwumike’s return to the starting lineup
  • Riquna Williams’ impact since becoming a starter
  • LA’s guard/wing depth
  • news that Candace Parker played despite not feeling well
  • Lindsay Whalen’s impact in what turned out to be her final game
  • preview of Sparks/Mystics

Dull is then joined by Jasmine Baker (@WeGotGame2) of High Post Hoops to discuss Wings/Mercury:

  • what went wrong for Dallas
  • their defense and what needs to change moving forward
  • the challenge facing the Wings next head coach in putting all the pieces together
  • Phoenix’s devastating 4 out, 1 in attack headlined by Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner
  • look ahead to Mercury/Sun

The Mercury will travel to take on the Connecticut Sun in the second round for the second consecutive season, and the Sparks play on the road against the Washington Mystics.

The winners will advance to play in the semifinals against either the Seattle Storm or Atlanta Dream beginning on Sunday. As the lowest remaining seed, Los Angeles would advance to play the Storm with a win, whereas Washington would advance to play Atlanta in the semifinals with a win.

via @WNBA on Twitter
via @WNBA on Twitter /

Both second round games on Thursday will be aired on ESPN2, beginning with Sparks/Mystics at 6:30 PM ET, followed by Mercury/Sun at 8:30.

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