The Phoenix Mercury Steal Game 2 In Minnesota (89-83)

The Phoenix Mercury Steal Game 2 In Minnesota (89-83)

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by | Sep 23, 2025 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx took Game 1 in Minnesota on Sunday and they were able to adjust to the impact that Phoenix made in the paint to win. The Big 3 (Collier/Williams/McBride) from Minnesota took over Game 1 and with it being a 5 game series knowing Phoenix will try to come back Game 2 ready.

 

The Minnesota Lynx came out in Game 2 on Tuesday night and hit the Phoenix Mercury with an elite haymaker from the start. Napheesa Collier on her 29th birthday was able to get to her spots and was making it tough on the Mercury in the paint early. Collier was able to make bucket after bucket and was able to put pressure on the Phoenix defenders that were guarding her.

 

Kayla McBride was on a heater throughout the night as she was able to go 4/8 from the 3 point line. It seemed as if every time the Lynx needed a big shot to keep the momentum going in that 1st half it came from KMac. Kayla was giving the Phoenix Mercury trouble all night because they couldn’t keep up with her inside and outside the paint.

 

Courtney Williams played an amazing game for the Lynx as she was able to get to her midrange jumper and made clutch passes for her teammates. Courtney finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists but it was the 7 turnovers that everyone will look at on the stat sheet. Courtney responds in big moments and she will bounce back against Phoenix after the Game 2 loss.

 

Both Collier and McBride combined for 45 points in Game 2 as it wasn’t enough to get the win. The Lynx didn’t come out as aggressive in the 2nd half and that gave the Mercury some life coming back from 20 points down.

Satou Sabally was on a mission all night long for the Phoenix Mercury with her aggressive play from the jump ball. Satou was able to get her 3 pointer going and she was a bully in the paint. When Satou plays this way from the beginning it’s usually a good thing for Phoenix and tonight it was as she finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist. The swagger that the Phoenix Mercury came out with in the 2nd half wasn’t matched by Minnesota as the big lead started to slip away.

MVP Finalist Alyssa Thomas was able to do her thing playing that point forward position. Thomas was all over the place and was able to grab the most important offensive rebound of the game that led to Sami Whitcomb’s 3 pointer to send the game to OT. Thomas finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists. Her leadership and passion were on full display and even when she went to the line in overtime she hit some big free throws.

Sami Whitcomb finished with 13 huge points and was able to hit the shot of the night. Without her contributions tonight this series would be 0-2 heading back to Phoenix.

Game 3 will be on Friday in Phoenix as the Lynx have to steal home court advantage back.

 

 

Photo Credit –

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Sep 23, 2025 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Take Game 1 Against The Phoenix Mercury (82-69)

Minnesota Lynx Take Game 1 Against The Phoenix Mercury (82-69)

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by | Sep 21, 2025 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx took care of business against Golden State and had to await the winner of the Liberty/Mercury. It was the Mercury who prevailed and they would be playing Game 1 against Minnesota on Sunday.

Everyone knows how tough Alyssa Thomas plays and she was an MVP Finalist for a reason. On the other hand the Minnesota Lynx have Napheesa Collier who was announced as the MVP runner up which ruffled a lot of feathers with the Minnesota fans.

 

The Phoenix Mercury came into Game 1 on a mission and it was very simple their game plan was to try and beat Minnesota inside the paint. The Lynx and Mercury went back and forth in that 1st half as the Mercury scored 42 points in the paint as Thomas was having her way with 16 points. The Lynx were getting beat inside and the transition baskets were hurting them as well in the 1st half. It seemed like every time the Lynx had a turnover or Phoenix got a deflection the Mercury made them pay for it.

In the 2nd half the Lynx came out a whole new group defensively and they made sure to get on the boards making it an emphasis. The Lynx Big 3 of Collier/McBride/Williams showed up big time the whole game as they finished with a combined 62 points. The key to the victory was limiting the points in the paint as they held them to 12 in that 2nd half.

 

When the Lynx Big 3 has it going it’s tough to stop them and Courtney Williams was leading the charge from the emotional standpoint. Williams was in her bag with the midrange and she was able to will her way to the basket with ease. Kayla McBride was able to hit some timely 3 pointers that the team needed throughout the game within building up the momentum. Napheesa didn’t have her best offensive game but tonight she showed up on the rebounds as well and she makes winning plays throughout.

 

The Lynx were getting beat up inside and Coach Reeve went to Maria Kliundikova to get some rebounds in the paint in big moments. You have to give her credit for being ready when her number was called. Rebounds are huge when it comes to trying to close out a team like the Phoenix Mercury. Game 2 will be on Tuesday and the Lynx will look to mimic this game plan from the 2nd half as they look to try and advance to the Finals.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

Sep 21, 2025 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Sweep The Golden State Valkyries After (75-74) Thriller In Game 2

Minnesota Lynx Sweep The Golden State Valkyries After (75-74) Thriller In Game 2

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by | Sep 18, 2025 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx took Game 1 at home on Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries. In order for them to take Game 2 the Lynx would have to beat the Valkyries and their 18,000+ fans.

The Golden State Valkyries came out and threw a haymaker as Veronica Burton put the team on her back. The newly awarded Most Improved Player was on a mission in Game 2 as she was aggressive from the jumpball.

 

Veronica Burton was all over the place tonight with effort and energy on her way to 13 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds. Burton was the true leader and the driving force in this game for the Valkyries success. The Lynx didn’t have an answer for Burton’s playmaking ability through the first 3 quarters as she was getting to the paint and kicking it out to her shooters for easy looks.

 

One of those shooters was her rookie Janelle Salaün as she showed up big time in Game 2 with huge shot making ability. Salaün finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist tonight. She had a tough night defensively though as Napheesa Collier was able to start getting some rhythm and hitting some huge shots. The Lynx were down by 17 points in this game and a lot of that had to do with Salaün/Zandalasini/Burton.

 

Tonight the Lynx showed exactly what it takes to win a playoff series but also play with the heart of a champion. Napheesa Collier hasn’t won a championship yet but she was close last season and that has been the driving force for this team all season long. When the team was down it was Kayla McBride & Napheesa Collier who kept plugging away as they’re used to this.

 

The Valkyries haven’t been in this moment before and they showed some inexperience down the stretch when the Lynx did the total opposite. Kayla McBride & Napheesa Collier combined for 42 points tonight and the Lynx needed every single point from them. The leadership and poise was on full display as the Lynx made it clear they didn’t want to play in a Game 3 on Friday.

The Minnesota Lynx are on a mission to get back to the WNBA Finals and this was the 1st step to achieving that goal again. The Lynx will be awaiting the winner of the Mercury/Liberty series as they get the chance to rest and wait for their opponent.

Sep 18, 2025 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Take The 1-0 Series Lead Against Golden State (101-72)

Minnesota Lynx Take The 1-0 Series Lead Against Golden State (101-72)

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by | Sep 14, 2025 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx knew their opponents after the game on Thursday. It just so happened to be the Golden State Valkyries for the 1st Round of the WNBA Playoffs. The Lynx have MVP front runner Napheesa Collier and the Valkyries are led by Veronica Burton who should be the Most Improved Player.

The Valkyries came into Game 1 looking extremely comfortable in the 1st half as it seemed as though every thing went down. Veronica Burton damn near played the whole game and started Golden State off with a couple of 3 pointers to give them the lead. The Valkyries biggest lead of the game was 10 points and they tried their best to keep the Lynx fans out of this game. The Valkyries had 4 scorers in double figures and they barely played the bench as they have a tall task ahead in this game with the #1 seeded Minnesota Lynx.

Veronica Burton gave her all as she finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists on the day. The Lynx held the Valkyries under 40% from the field and 3 point land on the day as the defense was swarming in the 2nd half.

The Minnesota Lynx started off the game a little shaky but that would change quick with a couple of Kayla McBride 3 pointers. Playoff KMac was locked in as she was aggressive on both ends of the floor from the jumpball. Some of the timely shots that Kayla McBride hit throughout the game helped slow the leakage when the Lynx trailed.

 

The momentum shifted ASAP when Natiesha Hiedeman came in the game as she was electric in transition and was a menace on the defensive end as well. The energy that Hiedeman comes in with it’s contagious and she makes everyone around her better as she was able to finish with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in the day. There’s no doubt in my mind that Hiedeman is the 6th Woman of the Year as it should be a no brainer.

 

We talked about the spark that Kayla McBride & Natiesha Hiedeman had to get the Lynx rolling but it was the MVPhee that closed the door on the Valkyries. Napheesa Collier was able to get to her spots with ease as no one on the Valkyries were able to slow her down. Phee was able to finish with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on the day and was even able to rest as the Lynx had the game out of hand. Napheesa Collier is a walking cheat code with her play on both ends and the Minnesota Lynx have what it takes to get to the finish line.

The Lynx shot 51.5% percent from the field today and it was a delight to see Dijonai Carrington back on the court as well as she came back from her shoulder injury. In her 11 minutes she played amazing defense on Burton and knocked down 2 three pointers. Jessica Shepard was able to make an impact in this one with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. This Lynx team is stacked and they will be a tough out for anyone.

Game 2 will be on Wednesday as the Lynx head out to San Jose to try and finish the series.

 

Sep 14, 2025 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Put On A Show Against The Valkyries In Regular Season Finale (72-53)

Minnesota Lynx Put On A Show Against The Valkyries In Regular Season Finale (72-53)

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by | Sep 11, 2025 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into the last game of the regular season knowing they had the 1st seed already wrapped up. What they don’t know is who they will be playing on Sunday until after the game. 

The game was rugged to start out as both the Valkyries and Lynx were playing very good defense. The Lynx were able to get it going and they were led by Napheesa Collier. All season long Napheesa has been able to put the team on her back and did just that again tonight. Napheesa finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. With her performance tonight she was just the 2nd player in WNBA History to join the 50/40/90 club.

One thing about Napheesa Collier she’s a team first player and she has improved on both ends every season. The other player that has been on a heater as the young kids say these days is Natisha Hiedeman. She’s been able to notch a couple of 20 point games down the stretch and she should be the front runner for the 6POTY in the WNBA. Tonight she poured in 21 points and was a complete blur on the court as no one was able to keep up with her in transition. When Hiedeman’s locked in like she was tonight it’s tough to beat this Lynx team. 

The Valkyries weren’t backing down in that 1st half as Kalia Charles was keeping them in the game alongside Veronica Burton. Overall it was just tough for the Valkyries as the Lynx are loaded with talent and a roster that’s on a revenge tour after last season. The Valkyries will be turning around and facing the Lynx in the 1st round of the WNBA playoffs which start on Sunday. 

Sep 11, 2025 No Comments