WNBA’s Top Five Greatest Moments to be Presented on ESPN2
The Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx will compete for the WNBA title in a best-of-five series beginning in Minneapolis on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN3. ESPN2 and ESPN3 will offer the remainder of the series.
The Lynx, the top overall seed, reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history with a 27-7 record. Minnesota earned a spot by topping the San Antonio Silver Stars in three games in the Western Conference Semifinals and sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals.
The Dream, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, returns to the WNBA Finals for the second straight season with a mark of 20-14. Atlanta beat the Connecticut Sun in two games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and then the top-seeded Indiana Fever in the three-game Eastern Conference Finals.
Game & Studio Production
- Pam Ward will call Game 1with analyst Rebecca Lobo and reporter Heather Cox. Terry Gannon will take over the remainder of the play-by-play duties in the five-game series with Lobo and Cox;
- Cindy Brunson will host ESPN’s studio coverage for the WNBA Finals, joined by analyst Carolyn Peck;
- Coaches and officials will wear live microphones;
- An EStrator telestrator system will be in place for Lobo on site and Peck in studio. The system is used on Monday Night Football and during NBA telecasts;
- The top five greatest WNBA moments will be revealed during the ESPN2 telecasts of the WNBA Finals. As part of the celebration of its 15th season, fans voted for the WNBA Top 15 Moments Presented by Boost Mobile;
- A new open for the WNBA Finals on ESPN/ESPN2 will feature moments from the first 15 years of the WNBA Finals, as well as voices of insight from some of the top players in the league’s history, including Lisa Leslie and Sue Bird;
- Thirteen cameras will be used throughout the WNBA Finals, including two above the rim and a roving floor camera that will give fans more access. The camera will provide a unique on-court view mainly during free-throw attempts.
ESPN.com/espnW Full Playoff Coverage
ESPN.com and espnW will combine for comprehensive live coverage and analysis throughout the WNBA Finals.
- Coverage from lead contributor Mechelle Voepel, along with Michelle Smith, Joanne Gerstner, Pat Borzi and Adena Andrews
- Multimedia initiatives including video features and interactive polls for fans;
- Game previews, daily features and analysis surrounding the Finals.
2011 WNBA Playoff Schedule (Subject to change)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Sun, Oct 2 | 8:30 p.m. | WNBA Finals – Game 1:No. 3 seed Atlanta at No. 1 seed Minnesota Pam Ward, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe |
ESPN/ESPN3 |
| Wed, Oct 5 | 8 p.m. | WNBA Finals – Game 2:No. 3 seed Atlanta at No. 1 seed Minnesota Terry Gannon, Rebecca Lobo & Heather Cox |
ESPN2/ESPN3 |
| Fri, Oct 7 | 8 p.m. | WNBA Finals – Game 3:No. 1 seed Minnesota at No. 3 seed Atlanta Terry Gannon, Rebecca Lobo & Heather Cox |
ESPN2/ESPN3 |
| Sun, Oct 9 | 4 p.m. | *WNBA Finals – Game 4:No. 1 seed Minnesota at No. 3 seed Atlanta Terry Gannon, Rebecca Lobo & Heather Cox |
ESPN2/ESPN3 |
| Wed, Oct 12 | 8 p.m. | *WNBA Finals – Game 5:No. 3 seed Atlanta at No. 1 seed Minnesota Terry Gannon, Rebecca Lobo & Heather Cox |
ESPN2/ESPN3 |
* – if necessary
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