There’s no team in Philly, but there’s plenty of local flair in the postseason

The WNBA playoffs are finally upon us, and the series is packed with players and coaches who have ties to the Philadelphia area. From the hometown presence of Cheryl Reeve and her Minnesota Lynx, to the daughter of a former 76er aiming for a second straight victory with the Las Vegas Aces, and the heavily Delaware Valley-influenced Mystics-Liberty matchup, the first-round series is filled with stories of hometown pride. Here’s an in-depth look at the players and teams of these thrilling stories:

Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces: The Chicago Sky, led by North Philadelphia native Kahleah Copper, are taking on the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces. While stars such as A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum dominate the headlines, Kiah Stokes, daughter of former 76er Greg Stokes, has been a consistent presence for the Aces this season. The Sky will face a challenging road ahead, having lost key players in the offseason, but are still a force to be reckoned with. Game 1 starts at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty: The returning Elena Delle Donne, paired with standout Natasha Cloud, have been leading the Mystics against the star-studded New York Liberty in this east coast showdown series. With added talent like Jonquel Jones, the Liberty have bolstered their roster and are aiming for their first WNBA title. Game 1 tips off at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun: Lynx are rallying behind the leadership of Turnersville native and La Salle women’s basketball legend, Cheryl Reeve, as they face off against the Connecticut Sun. The Sun, featuring WNBA all-time triple-doubles leader Alyssa Thomas, are determined to continue their success from last year’s Finals. Game 1 starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Atlanta Dream vs. Dallas Wings: Rookies and young talents will have a chance to shine in the matchup between the Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream. Villanova great Maddy Siegrist, now with the Wings, is part of a young core looking to make a splash in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Rhyne Howard leads the Dream’s young core, aiming for a memorable postseason run. The series kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

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Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.