---
title: The X-Factors in the WNBA Playoffs' Opening Round
description: Unsurprisingly, the Dr. Dish Fam is WELL represented in the WNBA Playoffs, with Skylar Diggins-Smith & Allie Quigley helping their teams qualify.
---

[Dr. Dish Basketball Blog ](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com)

# [The X-Factors in the WNBA Playoffs' Opening Round](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/your-drdishfam-wnba-playoff-preview)

 Written by [Jeremy Rushing](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/author/jeremy-rushing) | Sep 23, 2021

An exciting WNBA regular season just came to a close, and now [ it’s playoff time](https://www.wnba.com/playoffs2021/)! Unsurprisingly, the Dr. Dish Fam is WELL represented, with both [Skylar Diggins-Smith](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/dr.-dish-basketball-welcomes-skylar-diggins-smith-to-the-family) and [Allie Quigley](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/wnba-all-star-allie-quigley-chooses-dr.-dish) competing Thursday night in the tournament’s opening round.

### skylar diggins-smith (phoenix mercury)

Diggins-Smith is coming off yet another incredible campaign, as one of two players league-wide to finish in the top 10 in both Points (17.7) and Assists (5.3) Per Game. The 5x All-Star played a pivotal role in leading her Phoenix Mercury squad to their *ninth* consecutive postseason berth.

### allie quigley (chicago sky)

Quigley, a 3x All-Star, shot a career-best 45.4% from beyond-the-arc and led the league in free throw percentage (95.9%). Her performance this season brought a great compliment to fellow stars Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot, helping the Chicago Sky to their third-straight playoff appearance.

### schedule/how to watch

6th seeded Chicago kicks off their playoff run in a single-game elimination matchup with #7 Dallas Wings Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on [ESPN2](https://www.espn.com/wnba/game/_/gameId/401370431). 

Phoenix, the 5-seed in the West, take on #8 New York Liberty in a win or go home opening round matchup. Tip off is set for 10 p.m. ET also on [ESPN2](https://www.espn.com/wnba/game/_/gameId/401370430).

See skills & drills from Skylar Diggins-Smith using her Dr. Dish Shooting Machine [HERE](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/topic/skylar-diggins-smith).

Click [HERE](https://www.drdishbasketball.com/products) to learn more about Dr. Dish Shooting Machines!

[View full post](https://blog.drdishbasketball.com/your-drdishfam-wnba-playoff-preview)

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