The WNBA returns to centre court on Australian screens this season – with a host of games LIVE, FREE and in HD on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, plus game replays.
WATCH the semi-finals of the WNBA Playoffs LIVE, FREE and in HD on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand with a doubleheader as Connecticut Sun host Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces take on Phoenix Mercury from 10 am (AEST) this Friday, October 1.
After taking each other's best punches in a thrilling series opener, the top-seeded Sun and sixth-seeded Sky will do battle again with Chicago’s 101-95 victory in double overtime a major confidence booster for the series underdogs.
Candace Parker turned back the clock with a 22-point performance but it was Courtney Vandersloot who stole the show as she rewrote the history books with a triple-double and a WNBA playoff-record assist tally.
Vandersloot eclipsed Sue Bird's playoff assists record with 18 helpers and added 12 points and 10 rebounds to join Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes as the only players to record a triple-double in the WNBA postseason.
"This is what I'm here for. Calling my number when we need it, but (primarily) facilitating," Vandersloot said.
"I'm just out here doing my job, just like they (my teammates) all are."
It was the third straight win during these playoffs for a Sky team that entered the playoffs seemingly flailing with four losses in six games.
The Sun had won 14 straight to cap the regular season before a nine-day layoff leading up to their third loss in four meetings with Chicago this season.
"That's kind of the good and the bad about having a bye. We were riding the wave for a little bit," Sun forward DeWanna Bonner said.
"Not saying that's why they won that game. As I said, they played a (heck) of a basketball game."
“We know we can play better. We have to play better or we’re going to be down 0-2.”
The Sun will also be out to stop Vandersloot from delivering another record-breaking performance with Connecticut coach Curt Miller only able to sing the praises of the Chicago star.
“(Vandersloot is) the best probing keeper-dribble guard and just manipulates everything,” Sun head coach Curt Miller said.
“We gave her different looks. We gave her different coverages. In stretches we were okay. Ultimately, she orchestrates everything for them out there. She’s so good with the basketball.”
Upcoming 2021 WNBA LIVE on SBS VICELAND and live-streamed via SBS On Demand
Friday, October 1
Semi-Final Game 2 - Chicago Sky v Connecticut Sun
10:00am – 12:30pm (AEST)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
Semi-Final Game 2 – Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces
12:00pm – 2:30pm (AEST)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
