The Mercury dominated the Las Vegas Aces in an 87-60 win behind a 23-point, 17-rebound performance from Brianna Turner. She also played strong defense on Aces star A’ja Wilson, who had only eight points on 2-of-14 shooting from the field.
Kahleah Copper led the way for the Sky in an 86-83 victory over the top-seeded Connecticut Sun, scoring 26 points and sparking a key 9-0 run in the fourth quarter. Sun forward DeWanna Bonner contributed 22 points and five rebounds in the loss.
Here is everything you need to know heading into Game 4 of each series.
WNBA playoff format and bracket
Unlike the NBA, which sends the same number of playoff teams from each conference, the top eight teams qualify for the WNBA playoffs, regardless of conference.
There are four rounds in all.
The teams with the two best records earn a double bye to the best-of-five semifinals. The teams with the third-best and fourth-best records earn a bye to the single-elimination second round. The next four teams open with a single-elimination first round. Teams are reseeded after each round with the highest seed facing off against the lowest-remaining seed in each round.
MORE: Watch the WNBA playoffs live with fuboTV (free 7-day trial)
When do the WNBA playoffs start in 2021?
Last day of regular season: Sunday, Sept. 19 WNBA playoffs begin: Thursday, Sept. 23 WNBA Finals begin: Sunday, Oct. 10 WNBA Finals last possible game: Tuesday, Oct. 19
WNBA playoffs channels, how to live stream
ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will provide coverage of up to 19 games during the WNBA playoffs and the WNBA Finals. You can also live stream the WNBA playoffs with fuboTV (free seven-day trial).
MORE: Upcoming key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season
WNBA playoff schedule 2021
Thursday, Sept. 23 — First round (single elimination)
Sunday, Sept. 26 — Second round (single elimination)
Semifinals (best of five) — (1) Connectict Sun vs. (6) Chicago Sky
Semifinals (best of five) — (2) Las Vegas Aces vs (5) Phoenix Mercury
WNBA Finals (best of five)
Odds to win 2021 WNBA Finals
The Connecticut Sun, winners of 14 straight games entering the playoffs, are the betting favorite to win the title at +200. These odds were entering the 2021 playoffs.
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
