MINNEAPOLIS — The Phoenix Mercury had the start they wanted in Sunday’s WNBA Semifinal opener. What they didn’t have was the finish.
Phoenix controlled much of the first half, using an aggressive inside attack to build a 47–40 lead at halftime. Alyssa Thomas set the tone with 16 first-half points, and Kahleah Copper poured in 11 by the break as the Mercury pounded the paint for 42 points in the opening two quarters.
But after halftime, Phoenix’s offense unraveled. The Mercury shot just 25 percent in the second half and went 3-for-23 from three-point range on the night. Minnesota took advantage, outscoring Phoenix 42–22 after the break to claim an 82–69 victory and a 1–0 series lead.
Courtney Williams sparked the Lynx with 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Kayla McBride knocked down four threes on her way to 21 points. Napheesa Collier added 18 points and nine boards. As a team, Minnesota won the rebounding battle 42–35 and turned second chances into 20 points — a decisive edge over Phoenix’s five.
The game was tied 59–59 entering the fourth quarter, but the Mercury could muster only 10 points in the final frame. A 14–2 Lynx run put the game out of reach, sending Phoenix home looking for answers. Copper led the Mercury with 22 points, though she needed 23 shots. Thomas finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but also committed a costly technical foul late in the third quarter. Satou Sabally added 10 points but went 0-for-5 from deep. Sami Whitcomb gave the bench a lift with 11 points, though veteran DeWanna Bonner was held scoreless in 25 minutes.
For the Mercury to even the series, they will need to respond in three key areas. Rebounding will be critical after Minnesota’s dominance on the glass created far too many second chances. Perimeter shooting must improve, as Phoenix’s 13 percent mark from beyond the arc left the offense one-dimensional. And just as importantly, the Mercury have to find a way to sustain their energy and execution for four quarters after letting a strong first half slip away.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday in Minneapolis, where the Mercury will look to steal a win in Minnesota before the series shifts to Phoenix.
