ABC Showcases WNBA Western Conference Finals Game Between the Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx on Sunday; ESPN2 Viewership and Ratings Up for WNBA Playoffs

ABC will broadcast the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Western Conference Finals Game 2 on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 3:30 p.m. Both the Mercury and the Lynx swept in the respective Western Conference Semifinals in two games with Phoenix topping the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota defeating the San Antonio Stars.
The WNBA Playoffs 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile conference semifinal games on ESPN2 posted a 100 percent ratings increase over last season (0.2 HH US rating vs. 0.1), and a 31 percent increase in viewership (262,000 viewers vs. 200,000 viewers).
Western Conference Final announcer pairings include Pam Ward and Rebecca Lobo with Holly Rowe. Ryan Ruocco, along with Lobo and Rowe, will call the WNBA Finals 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile, in addition to Carolyn Peck providing studio analysis from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studio.
ABC and ESPN2’s exclusive coverage of the best-of-five series for the WNBA Finals 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile will start on Sunday, Sept. 7. Game 1 will air on ABC and can also be seen on the ABC SuperSign in Times Square in New York City at 3:30 p.m. The remaining four games will be televised on ESPN2.
Top Storylines & Players
Many of the league’s best players will be showcased during the postseason, and ESPN will follow many storylines, including the retirement of long-time Indiana Fever head coach Lin Dunn. Also highlighted in ESPN’s playoff coverage: Elena Delle Donne (Chicago); Tamika Catchings (Indiana); Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus (Minnesota) and Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix).
espnW.com will supplement ESPN’s schedule with comprehensive live coverage and analysis throughout the WNBA postseason:
- Michelle Smith and Mechelle Voepel onsite for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, as well as the WNBA Finals.
- A breakdown of each series, including predictions, plus postgame analysis
- Additional video highlights and features throughout.
- espnW’s Top 10 WNBA Playoff Moments: Users will vote on some of the top moments in WNBA history on espnW.com to determine the top three, with the No. 3 moment unveiled during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The No. 1 moment will be unveiled during Game 3. Voting runs from August 21 – September 3.
WatchESPN
All ESPN2 telecasts will also be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
ESPN2 & ABC WNBA Playoffs 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile Schedule (subject to change)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Commentators | Network |
| Sun, Aug 31 | 3:30 p.m. | Western Conference Finals: Game 2 Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx Pam Ward, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe |
ABC |
| Sun, Sept 7 | 3:30 p.m. | WNBA Finals 2014: Game 1 | ABC |
| Tue, Sept 9 | 8 p.m. | WNBA Finals 2014: Game 2 | ESPN2 |
| Fri, Sept 12 | 8 p.m. | WNBA Finals 2014: Game 3 | ESPN2 |
| Sun, Sept 14 | 5:30 p.m. | WNBA Finals 2014: Game 4* | ESPN2 |
| Wed, Sept 17 | 8 p.m. | WNBA Finals 2014: Game 5* | ESPN2 |
* – If necessary
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