High Post Hoops
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Podcast: WNBA semifinals check-ins with Lindsay Gibbs and Alex Simon

By Ben Dull

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Tiffany Hayes #15 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the game against the Washington Mystics during Game One of the 2018 WNBA Semifinals on August 26, 2018 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Tiffany Hayes #15 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the game against the Washington Mystics during Game One of the 2018 WNBA Semifinals on August 26, 2018 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Seattle Storm hold a 2-0 series lead on the Phoenix Mercury, and the Atlanta Dream have tied things up at 1-1 with the Washington Mystics in the semifinals of the 2018 WNBA playoffs.

League MVP Breanna Stewart followed up a 28 points Game 1 performance with 27 points in Seattle’s Game 2 overtime victory. Through 36 minutes in Game 2, Delle Donne had posted a line of 27 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Mystics.

On the latest episode of the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast, host Ben Dull is joined first by Lindsay Gibbs of High Post Hoops to cover the first two games of Mystics/Dream, including:

  • immediate reaction to the left knee injury sustained by Elena Delle Donne late in Game 2
  • recaps of both Game 1 and Game 2
  • Alex Bentley’s strong two-way play off the bench for Atlanta
  • evaluating the Dream’s job thus far of containing Kristi Toliver and limiting her easy scoring opportunities
  • what it would look like on the floor if Delle Donne is unable to play again the series

In the second half of the episode, Alex Simon of High Post Hoops hops on to cover the other semifinal series between the Storm and Mercury, including:

  • how Seattle was able to build double-digit leads in both games
  • why the Mercury need more from Brittney Griner
  • key differences between the two games from both perspectives
  • Briann January’s defensive impact in guarding Sue Bird / Jewell Loyd
  • what needs to happen for Phoenix to force a Game 4 (and a Game 5)

Alex has written on both games of the Storm/Mercury series. You can find those two pieces here and here.

And here’s our own Mitchell Northam out of Atlanta with more from Game 2 of the Mystics/Dream series.

Both series resume Friday on ESPNNEWS/NBATV beginning at 8 PM ET with Game 3 of Dream/Mystics.

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