WNBA Playoff Recaps

Chicago Sky & Phoenix Mercury Advance to Round 2

The WNBA Playoffs got underway on Thursday night with the higher seeds advancing — one by double digits and one by a last-second free-throw. Here’s how the ‘W’ trimmed the postseason field from eight to six in a matter of hours. The next round of single-elimination takes center court on Sunday.

#6 Sky def. #7 Wings (81-64)

Game 1 of Night 1 in the WNBA playoffs was actually closer than it looked in the box score. The Chicago Sky pulled away late with a 12-point advantage in the 4th quarter. Kahleah Copper led the way with 23 points on a scorching 10-for-14 shooting night. Chicago heads to Minnesota for Round 2 on Sunday.

#5 Mercury def. #8 Liberty (83-82)

The New York Liberty nearly played spoiler against a Phoenix Mercury team without Diana Taurasi last night. The Liberty tied the game in the final seconds before a foul under the basket sent Brianna Turner to the free-throw line with 0.4 seconds. She missed the first but sunk the dagger before Sabrina Ionescu’s final attempt fell short. Sophie Cunningham (21 points) was the savior for Phoenix off the bench with an unmissable 6-for-7 from 3-point range. Phoenix survives on to face Seattle in the next round.

Round 2 Schedule (Sunday)

#5 Mercury at #4 Storm (3:00 pm ET)

#6 Sky at #3 Lynx (5:00 pm ET)

Photo: Christian Peterson / Getty Images