Introduction to the Game
The Phoenix Mercury overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Minnesota Lynx 86-81 in Game 4 on Sunday, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.
Phoenix will face the Indiana-Las Vegas winner, after Indiana forced a Game 5 earlier Sunday with a 90-83 home victory.
The Game’s Turning Point
Alyssa Thomas scored 23 points, and DeWanna Bonner made two late 3-pointers to secure the Mercury’s win. “We knew they were going to challenge us today and I’m just proud of how we responded," Thomas said. "We could have easily given up and be headed to Minnesota right now. But we stuck together and dug deep on defense.”
Challenges Faced by the Lynx
The top-seeded Lynx were playing without Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended for Game 4 because of her behavior and comments toward officials in Game 3. Minnesota also was without All-Star guard Napheesa Collier, who suffered an ankle injury near the end of the Game 3 loss.
The Mercury’s Comeback
Down 68-55 after three quarters, Phoenix pulled to 70-69 on Sami Whitcomb’s 3-pointer with 4:46 left. Bonner’s 3-pointer pushed them ahead 72-70, and she hit another 3 with 2:03 left for a 77-73 lead. Minnesota’s Kayla McBride hit a 3-pointer — her sixth of the second half — to cut it to 77-76 with 1:04 left.
The Final Minutes
The 38-year-old Bonner then made a pair of free throws to push the Mercury ahead 79-76. Bonner scored 11 points in the fourth — part of the Mercury’s 31-point outburst in the final quarter. “We didn’t have much of a choice,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbets said. "We were down 13, needed to get stops. And when we get stops, we’re pretty good offensively because we’re playing free and we don’t have time to overthink it.
The Road to the Finals
Phoenix’s Satou Sabally scored 21 points. Phoenix will play for the title for the first time in four years in a bid for its first championship since 2014. The Mercury had just two players on this year’s roster — Copper and Natasha Mack — who were with the team in 2024.
The Lynx’s Collapse
McBride led Minnesota with 31 points on 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Courtney Williams added 20 points. The Lynx’s fourth-quarter collapse was a common theme in the series. “Got to give Phoenix credit for the way they defended in the fourth quarters,” Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault said. “They switched and made it hard on us. We didn’t get enough quality shots down the stretch.”
Conclusion
The Phoenix Mercury’s victory over the Minnesota Lynx marks a significant milestone in their journey to the WNBA Finals. With their determination and strong teamwork, they were able to overcome a 13-point deficit and secure their place in the finals. The Mercury’s win is a testament to their resilience and dedication to the sport.
FAQs
Q: Who will the Phoenix Mercury face in the WNBA Finals?
A: The Phoenix Mercury will face the Indiana-Las Vegas winner in the WNBA Finals.
Q: What was the score of the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx?
A: The Phoenix Mercury won the game 86-81.
Q: Who were the top scorers for the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx?
A: Alyssa Thomas scored 23 points for the Phoenix Mercury, while Kayla McBride led the Minnesota Lynx with 31 points.
Q: What was the significance of the Phoenix Mercury’s win?
A: The Phoenix Mercury’s win marked their first appearance in the WNBA Finals since 2021, and they will play for their first championship since 2014.
