Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces, Game 1: TV channel, live stream, prediction, odds

Game 1 between the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces will be the late game for the opening night of the WNBA Playoffs. Here’s how to watch.

The Las Vegas Aces, the No. 1 seed in the playoffs will begin their title hunt against the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA Playoffs have revised their format, doing away with a single-elimination first-round in favor of a best-of-three. But even needing an extra win shouldn’t slow down the team that has looked like the best in the league from start to finish.

The Phoenix Mercury have plenty of firepower on paper but will be playing without Diana Taurasi (quad injury) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal reasons). The Aces beat them all three times they met during the regular season and the Mercury will have to figure out some new wrinkles if they hope to steal Game 1.

Tipoff from the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV will be at 10:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, August 17.

Here is what you need to know to watch the Mercury take on the Aces in Game 1 of their first-round matchup in the WNBA Playoffs.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Game 1 TV channel

ESPN will carry the nationally televised game on Wednesday night.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Game 1 live stream

If you want to watch online you’ll find an available live stream for Game 1 on WatchESPN or bundling streaming services like fuboTV.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Game 1 prediction

The Aces had the best offense in the league in the regular season by a wide margin, led by A’jA Wilson (19.5 points per game on a 58.5 true shooting percentage) and Kelsey Plum (20.2 points per game on a 60.8 true shooting percentage). Their retooled attack is much more perimeter-oriented than in past seasons and they had five different players average at least one made 3-pointer per game (plus Wilson at 0.9).

The Mercury, on the other hand, will be led Diamond DeShields and Sophie Cunningham in the absence of Taurasi and Diggins-Smith. Both are excellent players but will be forced to carry more of an offensive creation load than they are really suited for. The Mercury will put up a fight but the Aces just have too much.

Prediction: Aces 93, Mercury 74

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Game 1 odds

For all your WNBA odds and betting information, check out BetSided.