The 2020 WNBA Semifinals are upon us after single-elimination first and second rounds.
The Connecticut Sun steam rolled the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks in rounds one and two playing the best basketball of the season earning their second consecutive semifinal trip. The Minnesota Lynx returned Sylvia Fowles and knocked off Phoenix in the second round behind a balanced team effort.
Buckle up as four teams remain and these matchups are sure to get intense in these best of five series. Here is a look at the keys to these matchups and what it will take to make it to the WNBA Finals.
Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas earned themselves substantial time off and rest after clinching the No. 1 spot and coveted double-bye to the semi’s. Connecticut, however, will lace up for their third game of the week in Sunday’s Game 1. These two teams have faced off twice so far this season with the Aces winning by an average of 18 points.
Newly named league MVP A’ja Wilson has averaged 22.5 points against the Sun in this season. With the Aces it becomes a matter of picking your poison. With so many weapons, honing in on one player isn’t going to cut it. Wilson will get hers no doubt, but Connecticut cannot allow big games from Kayla McBrice, Dearica Hamby or any of the other Vegas roster with the ability to go off. (Which is everyone basically.)
Rebounding plays a MAJOR role in this series. Both teams take a lot of pride on that statistic in particular and the physicality of the game will be intense. The Sun have once again accepted the underdog role with the #disrepeCT coming to light. Alyssa Thomas has been next level good, they will need continued heroic efforts by her and DeWanna Bonner to stay afloat.
The big question lies in who else steps up for the Sun in terms of contributions? It’s hard to ignore the depth and weapons Las Vegas has. Connecticut does not have that, so players like Briann January, Brionna Jones, and Kaila Charles have to be good.
Las Vegas might be the favorite, but Playoff Sun are a different animal. If they can have a consistent balanced scoring attack, Connecticut might be able to push this to 5.
This one tips-off Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
