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The good started. After two preliminary rounds to one game, the WNBA playoffs are here. The real ones, those of the five-game series and two-week battles and continuous tactical readjustments. The thing, for now, could not be more equal. The two semifinals go 1-1.
Thus, as for the bajini, Chicago Sky has already stolen one of its two games on the court of the favorites to the title: Connecticut Sun. Those from Illinois came like semis Cinderellas. They are quite the opposite. For its part, Phoenix Mercury, Diana Taurasi through, has also won a visit to Las Vegas. Tied at 1-1, both series travel this Sunday to Chitown and to Arizona.
There has been a bit of everything in the four games that were played this week. Tension, tight markers. A portentous exhibition of the aforementioned and incombustible and not for the usual less surprising Diana Taurasi. A newly named MVP whose award is too heavy for her. A great game from the only Spanish in the league, Astou Ndour. And, most importantly, an apparition à la tío Phil.
Chicago plays Uncle Phil
Everybody knows what it’s like to become an Uncle Phil. Yes, that one, the one with the Prince of Bel-Air. The one to arrive at a dodgy joint to get Will out of a game of billiards in which he had gotten into debt. The one of uy, yes, come on, let’s have a game. The one of, uy, but how bad I am. Oops, come on, let’s have another one for double the money. And it turns out that it sounds Soul Man. And Uncle Phil rolls up his sleeves. And the rest is history.
Chicago Sky has done something like this this season, culminating their deception last Tuesday, right in the game that opened their semifinal against Connecticut. Those of Chitown They had signed Candace Parker, one of the best players in history, in the summer. They have Courtney Vandersloot, who if he’s not the best point guard in the league, he comes close. And yet somehow they managed to go unnoticed during the regular season. They weren’t in the fight for the top spots, but they didn’t suffer to get into the playoffs either. His final record: a lowly 16-16. They were just there, quietly, candidates for nothing.
Until the playoffs came. There they annihilated Dallas Wings in the first round. In the second they passed over Minnesota Lynx, among the favorites for the ring, supposedly one of the fittest teams in the WNBA. And in those, they arrived last Tuesday in Connecticut. In front, the Sun, the best team in the regular league. The one with the MVP, Jonquel Jones. Coach of the Year Curt Miller. The one with the most favorites. But it rang Soul Man. And the Skies rolled up their sleeves.
Victoria Sky in an epic match, Connecticut response
It was one of the best games of the year. There were two extensions and portentous performances. Brianna Jones from Connecticut, who looked like Hakeem Olajuwon was revived. Candace Parker doing Candace Parker stuff, like that brutal crossover on a counterattack. Astou Ndour-Fall, with some high-quality minutes —9 points and 6 rebounds. Then, above everyone else, Courtney Vardersloot.
Vandersloot’s service record remained to be remembered. 12 points, 10 rebounds, 18 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks. Record for basket passes and second triple-double in WNBA playoff history. But beyond that, the feeling of controlling the game at will. In defense, being a constant nuisance to him backourt from Connecticut. And in attack, where he was able to braid passing threads through unsuspected places. To mark that very high rhythm that suits Chicago so well.
The end result: 101-95. Pure show, with constant alternatives on the scoreboard. Strenuous Perhaps for this reason, the second game of the series was played at the pace that best suits Connecticut, the best defense of the year. That was how the Sun were able to return the ball at dawn yesterday. 68-79 in a slow, tough game. In which the Sun did not suffer from the very discreet role of their star and MVP of the regular league, Jonquel Jones (4 points and 2-9 in shooting).
The series is going 1-1 and now travels to Chicago for its next two games. The Skies will be in the WNBA final if they win both. A few weeks ago it would seem incredible. But it is already known. Rang Soul Man. They dressed up as Uncle Phil. Jonquel Jones and company were scared when they rolled up their sleeves. And to see who stops them now.
Phoenix – Las Vegas
There were fewer surprises in the other semifinal, where equality was something that was already counted on. There, the Vegas Aces took the first meeting with, again, a portentous performance by Kelsey Plum from the bench. 25 points, 3 assists, 3 triples. 90-96 for those of Bill Lambeer, and Plum who presented his candidacy to be one of those basketball rarities: MVP in future finals without being a starter.
Last night, Plum traced his numbers: 25 points, 3 assists, 3 triples. But in front, oh friend, was Diana Taurasi. He said something like wait, I’m going to show you how to do that of blowing up a game from the perimeter. With 39 years. And come triple. And come another. And come another. And look now, I post you and make you a fadeaway. And another triple, this one with an aunt of almost 2.10 on top. And when the score was approaching 117-91 final, look at this one, which I put it in just to turn around and look at the public and open my arms and say:
“I’m waiting for you in Phoenix.”
The appointment is on Sunday, at 9:00 p.m. Spanish time. Two hours earlier, at 7:00 p.m., Connecticut Sun visits Chicago’s Windtrust Arena. Both heats go 1-1. We warned you: the good started.
(Cover photo by Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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