WNBA semifinals feature marquee players, Finals rematch, teams eyeing 1st titles

Star power, a quest for a three-peat and two franchises looking for their first championships highlight the WNBA semifinals that begin Sunday.

The Las Vegas Aces will face the New York Liberty in a WNBA Finals rematch from last season while the Connecticut Sun play the Minnesota Lynx in the other series.

The Aces, led by unanimous MVP A'ja Wilson, are looking to become the first team since the Houston Comets to win three titles in a row while the Liberty are trying for a measure of revenge against Las Vegas after losing last year.

Minnesota was the dominant team last decade winning four titles in a seven-year span from 2011-2017. They haven't reached the WNBA Finals since. Connecticut has reached the championship round twice since the Lynx's run, but lost both times.

Connecticut and New York are both looking for the first championship in franchise history.

Season series: Liberty swept the three games, although the Aces played without Wilson in the last meeting in New York earlier this month.

Marquee matchup: Wilson and Breanna Stewart. They are two of the best women's basketball players in the world and have shined in the post-season throughout their careers. Wilson raised her game to another level this year averaging a WNBA-record 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds during the regular season to earn MVP honours for the third time. Stewart averaged 20.4 points and had more help on the offensive end with the increased play of Sabrina Ionescu.

X-factors: Liberty players have said all seaso they are more connected this year after playing as a unit last season for the first time. New York added rookie Leonie Fiebich to the mix and she was stellar throughout the regular season.

The six-foot-four wing gives New York more size and