The WNBA semifinals are here, and the spotlight is on the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury matchup. Two stars have dragged their teams into this collision course — Alyssa Thomas, fresh off authoring history with the first 20-point triple-double in postseason play, and Napheesa Collier, who erased a 14-point deficit and buried the game-winner to send Minnesota through. With both teams riding emotional highs, this series has the feel of a classic.

And to match the stage, ESPN is rolling out its A-team to call the action. Fans tuning into Game 1 will hear Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe on the broadcast — a crew built to elevate every moment.

ESPN Broadcast Team for Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury Game 1

Ryan Ruocco: Ruocco is probably the most recognizable voice in the WNBA. His signature “You bet!” After every big shot just adds to the occasion. The play-by-play announcer has been with ESPN since 2008. When it comes to the W, he has been announcing it since 2013 while being a regular in the NBA as well. His excitement and energy will certainly bring a different flavour to the series opener at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 

Rebecca Lobo: If Ruoocco brings the energy, Lobo will bring the in-depth analysis. At the University of Connecticut, she was the star of the 1995 team that won the first of the program’s 11 national championships. She was part of the United States’ gold-medal-winning team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics while being one of the first names signed to the WNBA. Basketball isn’t work for Lobo; it’s her reset and her fuel, and that joy bleeds into every breakdown she delivers. Her experience as a player and more than 2 decades as an analyst at ESPN will give more depth to the Lynx vs Mercury matchup. 

Holly Rowe: What hasn’t Rowe given her voice to? In her 20 years at ESPN, Rowe has been the play-by-play voice on women’s college basketball, softball, volleyball, and gymnastics, as well as covering soccer, swimming, track & field, and the Little League World Series of baseball and softball. She is among the most versatile voices in the whole of sport, who humanizes the broadcast with her storytelling. 

With this trio on the call, ESPN isn’t just covering another semifinal — it’s treating Lynx vs. Mercury like a Finals-caliber matchup. Ruocco’s energy, Lobo’s insight, and Rowe’s storytelling bring an atmosphere that makes every possession feel bigger. For fans, it’s not just about watching the game, but experiencing it through the league’s signature voices.

ESPN’s Coverage of the Lynx vs Mercury Game 1

ESPN owns the window: Lynx–Mercury Game 1 tips Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN with streaming in the app. Games 1–2 are locked, with the rest flexing as the series unfolds.

Game 1: Mercury at Lynx, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET

Game 2: Mercury at Lynx, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET 

Game 3: Lynx at Mercury, Sept. 26, TBD 

Game 4 (if needed): Lynx at Mercury, Sept. 28, TBD 

Game 5 (if needed): Mercury at Lynx, Sept. 30, TBD 

The Lynx start as the favourites with a 79.5% chance to win Game 1 according to ESPN analytics. However, the Mercury are used to beating the odds after their unlikely win against the New York Liberty, making this interesting. Will Napheesa Collier lead the Lynx to their second consecutive final, or will it be Alyssa Thomas breaking Collier’s dreams?