Lynx Dominate Mercury 88-65 with Napheesa Collier’s Stellar Double-Double

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx secured a commanding 88-65 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night, marking their second series win in just five days.

Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Natisha Hiedeman matched her scoring. The Lynx displayed remarkable skill, outscoring the Mercury 49-23 after initially trailing 23-14 at the end of the first quarter.

With momentum on their side, the Lynx dominated the third quarter, extending their lead to 63-46 with 2:41 remaining.

A pivotal 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, highlighted by Collier’s three-point play and consecutive threes from Bridget Carleton and Kayla McBride, widened the gap to 80-56.

McBride, along with Alanna Smith and Karlie Samuelson, contributed significantly by each hitting three of the team’s 12 three-pointers. Smith and McBride each recorded 13 points, with McBride also providing a team-high seven assists. Despite their impressive play, the Lynx struggled with ball control, committing 23 turnovers.

For Phoenix (5-3), Lexi Held netted 16 points, and Satou Sabally added 15 points and eight rebounds. Kitija Laksa chipped in with 10 points but struggled to find her rhythm in the second half, scoring her first points of the period with 6:56 left on the clock.

This win comes after Minnesota defeated Phoenix 74-71 on Friday, a game in which Collier did not participate due to a knee injury.

The Phoenix area is home to various professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Major events like the Fiesta Bowl and WM Phoenix Open draw significant crowds, showcasing the city’s vibrant sports culture.

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