PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury clinched a third-straight appearance in the Western Conference Finals—and sixth in the last seven years—tonight, eliminating the Tulsa Shock with a 91-67 win.

The Mercury, who have the #2-seed in the Western Conference, will await the winner of the Minnesota (1)/Los Angeles (4) first-round series which is currently led by Minnesota 1-0. Should Minnesota win the series, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be at Target Center in Minneapolis on Thursday, September 24, and the Mercury’s home game would be Game 2 on Sunday, September 27, at Talking Stick Resort Arena.  All times are still to be determined.

Should Los Angeles advance, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be on Thursday, September 24 in Phoenix at Talking Stick Resort Arena at a time to be announced.

Western Conference Finals (best-of-three)

#2 Phoenix Mercury vs. winner of #1 Minnesota/#4 Los Angeles series

Game 1           Thursday, Sept. 24      Opponent/Time/Location/Broadcast TBA

Game 2           Sunday, Sept. 27         Opponent/Time/Location/Broadcast TBA

Game 3*         Tuesday, Sept. 29       Opponent/Time/Location/Broadcast TBA

*If Necessary

Single-game tickets for the Western Conference Finals are on sale NOW at PhoenixMercury.com or by calling 602-252-WNBA and start at $12. Three hundred thirty-three tickets have been once again purchased by Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, and will be available to be claimed by fans on a first-come, first-served basis on the plaza outside the arena before the game. Taurasi’s stack of tickets were claimed in less than 45 minutes before Game 1 Thursday.

Phoenix finished the regular season 20-14 (.588) and 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 WNBA-best home record of 12-4 (.750).