PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury’s chase for a second-straight WNBA title will begin on Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. at US Airways Center against the Tulsa Shock as the WNBA officially announced the first round playoff schedule today. The Mercury, who earned the #2-seed in the Western Conference, will begin their quest to repeat next Thursday as they head to the playoffs for the 10^th time in team history and the sixth trip to the postseason in the last seven seasons.

Western Conference Semifinals (best-of-three)

(#2) Phoenix Mercury vs. (#3) Tulsa Shock

Game 1           Thursday, Sept. 17      Tulsa at Phoenix          7 p.m. (Phoenix time)             ESPN2

Game 2           Saturday, Sept. 19       Phoenix at Tulsa         6 p.m. (Phoenix time)            NBA TV

Game 3*         Monday, Sept. 21        Tulsa at Phoenix          7 p.m. (Phoenix time)             NBA TV

*If Necessary

Single-game tickets for Game 1 of the Mercury’s opening round series are on sale now at PhoenixMercury.com and start at $12. Game 2 of the series will be played at BOK Center in Tulsa on Saturday, September 19 at 6 p.m. Phoenix time and, if necessary, Game 3 will be played at US Airways Center on Monday, September 21 at 7 p.m. Phoenix time. The Mercury lead the 2015 season series against the Shock 3-1 and the teams will play each other in the regular season finale on Sunday in Tulsa.

Phoenix (19-13, .594) will look to be the first team to repeat as WNBA champions since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002, and join the Houston Comets (1997-2000) as the only teams in WNBA history to win a total of four WNBA Championships.

The Mercury are led by three 2015 WNBA All-Stars: DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree and Brittney Griner, and 2014 WNBA Coach of the Year Sandy Brondello. A key to the Mercury success this season has been the X-Factor as the best fans in the WNBA have helped the Mercury to a home record of 12-4 (.750).

The Mercury will close out the 2015 home portion of the regular season tomorrow at US Airways Center against the Los Angeles Sparks at 7 p.m. Single game tickets are available by calling 602-252-WNBA or by visiting PhoenixMercury.com.