Rd 1, Game 3: (4) Phoenix vs (5) New York

It's been up and down so far, with the Liberty squeezing out an OT dub in Game 1 and Phoenix returning the favor in blowout fashion (26-point win) right after. With Stewie not at 100%, NY has struggled mightily to produce points. However... they still have a Big 3 in Meesseman, JJ & Sab! They haven't quite got going yet, combining for 25 points on Sunday and 27 on Wednesday, but I don't think you can keep that kind of talent down for long, especially considering the playoff experience each has. For Phoenix, Kah, AT & DeWanna have been solid all series long, each averaging double-figures. One of their best players, Satou Sabally, was ice cold in Game 1 (2-17 FG) but surely turned it up in the blowout win, going 5 for 11 from the field (15 points). It comes down to depth and I think New York has more of it, even with a slightly injured Breanna Stewart.

Prediction: New York wins 78-70 and takes the series 2-1.

X-Factors: DeWanna Bonner (Phoenix) & Kennedy Burke (New York)

Semifinals, Game 1: (2) Las Vegas vs (6) Indiana

Both teams squeezed out thrilling Game 3 wins on Thursday night to advance. The Fever are this year's Cinderella story after battling through multiple season-ending injuries & losing DeWanna Bonner to Phoenix. Things didn't look good at one point this summer, but through resilience and Herculean efforts by Kelsey Mitchell, they now find themselves in the semis for the first time in a decade. Since August, the Aces have looked like the hottest team in the league spearheaded by the queen herself, A'ja Wilson. This matchup will feature Gamecock on Gamecock crime in the post, with Aliyah Boston battling A'ja. A couple of former Baylor bears clash in Odyssey Sims and NaLyssa Smith, while a trio of Irish reunite in Bri Turner, Jackie Young & Jewell Loyd. Each team has two keys to winning: for Vegas, A'ja will have to do A'ja things, plain and simple! Jewell Loyd, their secret weapon off the bench, will have to be better than she was vs Seattle. If she can pour in double-digits [and everyone else does their part], they'll be hard to beat. For Indy, backcourt tandem Sims and Mitchell will have to continue to lead the way. They'll likely throw two bigs at A'ja to slow her down, because single-coverage won't work, so Makayla Timpson will have to be on her A-game.

Prediction: Vegas wins 78-68 to go up 1-0.

X-Factors: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (Vegas) & Aerial Powers (Indiana)

Game 2: Tuesday, September 23rd

Semifinals, Game 1: (1) Minnesota vs TBD (4) Phoenix/(5) New York

Regardless of who Minnesota faces, they'll have to fire on all cylinders if they want to advance. A very up-and-down end to the regular season, coupled with a shaky Game 2 win over Golden State, has made the Lynx look very beatable. Both Phoenix and NY have deep rosters with some of the very best players in the W. The StudBuds were quiet in Game 2, combining for an uncharacteristic 8 points. Swiss-Army knife Jess Shepard was held scoreless, marking only the second time that's happened all season. These three will have to be better moving forward, it's that simple. Phee will always do MVP-like things and Kayla McBride will always be that menacing perimeter threat, but they'll need help to get past either the Liberty or the Mercury. Something interesting to note: When  their 6th woman Tisha Hiedeman scores in double-figures, the Lynx are 15-3 on the season.

X-Factors: DiJonai Carrington & Jessica Shepard

Game 2: Tuesday, September 23rd