Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm, Game 1: TV channel, live stream, prediction, odds

Game 1 between the Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm will be the late game for the second night of the WNBA Playoffs. Here’s how to watch.

For the Seattle Storm, all eyes will be on Sue Bird who is beginning her final postseason run, after announcing she will retire at the end of this season. Bird, who has spent her entire 19-year career with the Storm is a 13-time All-Star and the WNBA’s all-time leader in games, minutes played and assists. She’s also a four-time champion, with her first and last titles coming a stunning 16 years apart.

The Storm will be looking to send her out on top and have plenty of talent around her, including MVP favorite Breanna Stewart, who averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season.

The Mystics have a former MVP of their own — Elena Delle Donne, who averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game this season. Washington carefully managed her minutes to keep her fresh and healthy for the playoffs and now it’s time to see if that strategy will pay off.

Tipoff from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA will be at 10:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 18.

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

Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm Game 1 TV channel

ESPN2 will carry the nationally televised game on Wednesday night.

Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm 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.

Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm Game 1 prediction

As Justin Carter pointed out in this week’s Above the Break, these teams are likely both better than their records show and are both legitimate contenders even out of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed matchup:

"You can make a good argument that both of these teams should have won more games this season if not for injury issues. Elena Delle Donne spent a good bit of time resting for Washington to ensure she stayed healthy for the playoffs, with the team going 18-7 in the 25 games that Delle Donne played. They were 22-14 overall, meaning half of the team’s losses came in the games she missed.As for Seattle, Breanna Stewart missed a couple of games, and the Storm lost both."

This should be among the best first-round series and these deep, balanced teams match up extremely well. I’ll give the Storm the edge in Game 1 in front of their home crowd.

Prediction: Storm 82, Mystics 78

Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm Game 1 odds

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