When the Phoenix Mercury clinched a spot in the WNBA semifinals Friday, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas combined for 43 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists.

On Tuesday, as the Las Vegas Aces evened their series on the other side of the bracket, starting forward NaLyssa Smith tallied 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Seven months after the largest trade in WNBA history , its ripple effects continue to influence the WNBA playoffs. In all, the four-team trade included 13 players and five draft picks in February. Though some players have subsequently been dealt elsewhere, five are on rosters in this week's semifinals. And despite the injuries, the way the first round played out assured at least one player involved in the February trade will win a championship.

The Mercury were at the cen

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