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WNBA playoff predictions: Who will win the 2019 championship?

Will Elena Delle Donne, a favorite for this season's MVP award, lead the Washington Mystics to their first WNBA title? Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images

Before the WNBA's playoffs open Wednesday (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET), ESPN's panel of experts weighs in with predictions for how the 2019 postseason will unfold. Which teams will survive and advance?

ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton, The Undefeated's Sean Hurd and espnW's Mechelle Voepel, Katie Barnes and D'Arcy Maine cast their picks below:

Which team in the first round has the best chance of reaching the WNBA Finals?

Barnes: Chicago Sky
Hurd: Chicago Sky
Maine: Chicago Sky
Pelton: Chicago Sky
Voepel: Minnesota Lynx

Which team wins their first-round matchup: Phoenix Mercury or Chicago Sky?

Barnes: Chicago Sky
Hurd: Chicago Sky
Maine: Chicago Sky
Pelton: Chicago Sky
Voepel: Chicago Sky

Which team wins their first-round matchup: Minnesota Lynx or Seattle Storm?

Barnes: Minnesota Lynx
Hurd: Minnesota Lynx
Maine: Minnesota Lynx
Pelton: Seattle Storm
Voepel: Minnesota Lynx

Which teams will meet in the semifinals?

Barnes: Washington Mystics-Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks
Hurd: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks
Maine: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks
Pelton: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks
Voepel: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Which teams will meet in the WNBA Finals?

Barnes: Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun
Hurd: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Maine: Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun
Pelton: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Voepel: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Which team will win the 2019 WNBA title?

Barnes: Washington Mystics
Hurd: Washington Mystics
Maine: Washington Mystics
Pelton: Washington Mystics
Voepel: Washington Mystics