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WNBA semifinals podcast: Dream up 2-1, Phoenix wins Game 3

By Ben Dull

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 31: Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm goes to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the WNBA Semifinals on August 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 31: Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm goes to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the WNBA Semifinals on August 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Dream have taken a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series against the Washington Mystics. On the other side of the playoff bracket, the Phoenix Mercury will have a chance to tie their series with the Seattle Storm at 2-2 with a win at home on Sunday.

Star forward Elena Delle Donne (knee) did not play in Game 3 for the Mystics. Phoenix was down a starter as well, as the team revealed in its Friday injury report that Stephanie Talbot would not play due to a concussion.

Lindsay Gibbs and Alex Simon joined host Ben Dull on the latest episode of the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast to discuss both series, beginning with Mystics-Dream:

  • the impact of Delle Donne’s absence
  • how Washington tried to get it done offensively, and what may look different in Game 4
  • LaToya Sanders impacting the game as a shot-blocking presence around the basket
  • the struggles of Natasha Cloud and Kristi Toliver
  • Aerial Powers seeing extended minutes in Delle Donne’s absence

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Both road teams — Atlanta and Seattle — will have an opportunity to close out their respective series on the road on Sunday. Discussed and detailed in part two on Mercury-Storm:

  • Seattle’s offensive struggles
  • Yvonne Turner’s impact with the starting group after replacing Talbot in the lineup
  • Sami Whitcomb and Jordin Canada sparking the Storm off the bench
  • Natasha Howard finding easy lanes to roll to the basket in pick and roll
  • ripple effects of the Storm not getting to the free throw line
  • Phoenix gutting one out without getting a huge scoring performance from Diana Taurasi

Semifinal action continues Sunday on ESPN2 beginning at 3 PM ET with Dream-Mystics. Storm-Mercury will follow at about 5 PM ET.

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