{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818a0d4eb737caf8ca3e31e/6ac4776526efd511ad438a06?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Is Game 2 a Must-Win for the Liberty & Aces? + Kelsey and Phee Offseason Speculation","description":"<p>Game 2 is here, and the pressure is on! After Atlanta and Golden State landed the first punches in the semifinals, the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces now face a must-answer situation on the road. Chantel, Annie and Sabreena break down what’s at stake as New York and Las Vegas look to steal a road win and even their respective series. Can either team flip the momentum, or will Atlanta and Golden State protect home court?</p><p>Before diving into Game 2, the trio discuss Napheesa Collier’s uncertain future with the Lynx following Minnesota’s early playoff exit. Could Napheesa explore other options this offseason? Then, they turn to Kelsey Mitchell’s experience with the Indiana Fever, exploring the contrast between her on-court success and the challenges she continues to face from fans online — and how those experiences may be shaping the way she approaches free agency and her desire to put herself first.</p><p>To wrap things up, we make out Game 2 predictions and break down the biggest matchups that could determine who takes control of the semifinals.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>REFERENCES: </strong></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7651070/2026/10/02/napheesa-collier-lynx-wnba-free-agency/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Napheesa Collier’s early playoff exit means her offseason dilemma starts now</a></u> by Chantel Jennings</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7656185/2026/10/03/fever-gm-amber-cox-fanbase-kelsey-mitchell-brianna-turner-wnba/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Kelsey Mitchell counters Fever GM’s defense of fans, vows to ‘be selfish’ in free agency</a></u> by Devon Henderson</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7656852/2026/10/03/nba-search-firm-wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-replacement/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NBA hires search firm to identify Cathy Engelbert’s replacement as WNBA commissioner: Sources</a></u> by Annie Costabile</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7660236/2026/10/04/dream-liberty-wnba-semifinals-allisha-gray-injury/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Without injured Allisha Gray, Dream power to Game 1 semifinal win over Liberty</a></u> by Annie Costabile</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7660646/2026/10/04/atlanta-dream-dewanna-bonner-wnba-semifinals/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A late addition to the Dream, 17-year WNBA veteran DeWanna Bonner looks like the key</a></u> by Chantel Jennings</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7660574/2026/10/04/valkyries-gabby-williams-shines-in-game-1-wnba-semifinals-defeat-of-aces/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Valkyries’ Gabby Williams shines in Game 1 WNBA semifinals defeat of Aces</a></u> by Sabreena Merchant</p><p><br></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7661701/2026/10/04/golden-state-valkyries-depth-aces-semfinals/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Golden State Valkyries flex their depth to expose Aces’ flaws in Game 1 of WNBA semifinals</a></u> by Marcus Thompson II</p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}