Game 1: WNBA Semifinal Recaps

09/29/2021

By: Jeff Yoder

Sun’s Jonquel Jones Wins MVP, But Courtney Vandersloot’s Historic Triple-Double Leads Sky Upset

Game 1 of 5 in the WNBA semifinals took center court on Tuesday night as the Sky and Aces came away victorious. The ‘W’ also announced Connecticut’s Jonquel Jones won the league MVP award. We’re deep into the playoffs, but the semifinals are only just beginning. Here’s how Game 1s were won on Tuesday.

 

#6 Sky def. #1 Sun (101-95, 2OT)

Chicago snatched the upset against the top-seeded Sun last night in a double-overtime thriller. Courtney Vandersloot packaged the second-ever triple-double in WNBA postseason history (12 points, 18 assists, 10 rebounds). Candace Parker (22 points) and Allie Quigley (19 points) added 41 as the lowest remaining seed takes a 1-0 series lead. (CHI Leads 1-0)

 

#2 Aces def. #5 Mercury (96-90)

The Aces flipped the script on the Mercury in the nightcap, overcoming a double-digit deficit in the first half to escape with a Game 1 win. All five Mercury starters hit double figures, but Las Vegas’s Riquna Williams dropped 26 points with four trifectas. Kelsey Plum also tallied 25 off the bench. (LV Leads 1-0)

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Connecticut Sun Forward Jonquel Jones Named WNBA MVP

The Athletic: Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot Records Second Triple-Double in WNBA Playoff History