WNBA playoffs: Woah, we’re halfway there

The GIST: Two down, two to go. After a weekend of record-setting action, the WNBA semifinals are halfway set. Next up, two decisive Game 3s to round out the final-four field. *bites nails*

Who’s through: The No. 1 Las Vegas Aces punched their ticket to the semis by thumping the short-handed No. 8 Phoenix Mercury 117–80 on Saturday, taking the series 2-0. How’d they do it? By going all in on three-pointers. The Aces set a WNBA record by scoring 23 threes in the rout. Damn, indeed.

• Vegas will face the No. 4 Seattle Storm, who closed out their series against the No. 5 Washington Mystics with a 97–84 win yesterday. Many expected this matchup to go all three games, but Seattle rained on that parade, with all five starters scoring in double figures.

Who’s going to Game 3: The No. 2 Chicago Sky clearly took their stunning Game 1 upset loss personally, throttling the No. 7 NY Liberty 100–62 on Saturday to send the series to a winner-take-all battle tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

• The Sky lived up to their defending champs status in Game 2 — their 38-point victory was the largest in postseason history. But the Libs will gain a huge boost with home court advantage tomorrow.

• Elsewhere, the No. 6 Dallas Wings blocked out the No. 3 Connecticut Sun 89–79 yesterday to secure Wings’ first-ever franchise postseason W since relocating from Detroit. They’ll head back to Dallas for Wednesday’s Game 3 at 9 p.m. ET. Must-see TV.