Lynx Look to Extend Series Lead Over Mercury in Game 2 Showdown

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx are one step closer to returning to the WNBA Finals, and they’ll look to strengthen their position Tuesday night as they host the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the semifinals at Target Center. The Lynx lead the best-of-five series 1-0 after a commanding 82-69 victory in Game 1, where Courtney Williams led the charge with 23 points. Minnesota’s stifling defense held the Mercury to under 70 points — well below their season average — and once again showed why the Lynx are one of the league’s most balanced squads on both ends of the court. Minnesota, the top seed out of the Western Conference, has been dominant all season, boasting a 34-10 overall record and a 20-4 mark against conference foes. Led by All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, who’s averaging 17.3 points over her last 10 games, the Lynx have found their rhythm offensively, averaging 86.1 points per game while outscoring opponents by nearly 10 points per contest. “We set the tone in Game 1, but we know Phoenix is going to come back stronger,” said head coach Cheryl Reeve. “We have to be ready to match their energy and execute at a high level.”

Phoenix, meanwhile, enters Game 2 needing a bounce-back performance to avoid falling into a daunting 0-2 hole. Despite an impressive regular-season run that saw them finish 27-17, the Mercury have been inconsistent of late, going just 5-5 in their last 10 games. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 22 points in Game 1, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Minnesota’s depth. The Mercury were also plagued by cold shooting and struggled to control the tempo against a disciplined Lynx defense. One bright spot for Phoenix continues to be Alyssa Thomas, who’s nearly averaging a triple-double in the postseason and remains a key catalyst on both ends of the floor. Thomas is posting 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, and her ability to facilitate will be crucial in Game 2.

The three-point line could be a deciding factor in this matchup. Minnesota averages 9.6 made threes per game — nearly two more than Phoenix allows — while Phoenix hits 9.4 per game themselves. If either team gets hot from beyond the arc, it could tilt the momentum.

“We know we can shoot better, and we have to be more aggressive inside,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “Minnesota’s tough, but this series is far from over.” Both teams bring elite-level talent and playoff experience, but the pressure now shifts to the Mercury to respond. A loss would send the series back to Phoenix with the Lynx just one win away from a Finals berth.