>

WNBA Playoffs: A Rivalry Renewed

Mercury and Sun Set to Face Off in Semifinals

Two of the WNBA's most storied franchises, the Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Sun, will renew their rivalry in the semifinals of the 2023 playoffs. The two teams have met in the playoffs seven times previously, with the Mercury holding a 4-3 advantage.

The Mercury are the No. 2 seed in the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 27-7 record. They have won their first two playoff games, sweeping the Dallas Wings in the first round and defeating the Chicago Sky in the second round.

The Sun are the No. 3 seed in the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 25-9 record. They have also won their first two playoff games, sweeping the New York Liberty in the first round and defeating the Indiana Fever in the second round.

The Mercury and Sun are two of the most evenly matched teams in the WNBA. Both teams have a strong inside-outside game, and both teams have a deep bench. The series is likely to be decided by which team can make the most plays down the stretch.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Brittney Griner vs. Jonquel Jones: Griner is the best player in the WNBA, and Jones is one of the most versatile players in the league. This matchup will be key in determining which team wins the series.
• Skylar Diggins-Smith vs. Alyssa Thomas: Diggins-Smith is the Mercury's leading scorer, and Thomas is the Sun's leading rebounder. These two players will be responsible for leading their teams' offenses.
• Diana Taurasi vs. Courtney Williams: Taurasi is one of the greatest players in WNBA history, and Williams is one of the most exciting young players in the league. This matchup will be a battle between experience and youth.

Prediction

The Mercury and Sun are two of the best teams in the WNBA, and this series is likely to be a close one. However, the Mercury have a slight edge in experience and depth, and I predict that they will win the series in three games.