Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx
· Women's National Basketball AssociationLynx clinch spot in playoffs with 86-73 victory over Mercury
The Lynx are currently the No. 5 seed and have an outside shot to catch the Dallas Wings and earn the homecourt advantage in the first round.
Minnesota started the season 0-6, but avoided missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The Lynx are only the second team ever to lose at least its first six games and still make the postseason. Los Angeles also did it in 2015.
McBride sank 9 of 20 shots with two 3-pointers for Minnesota (19-19). Collier finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for her 11th double-double of the season. Juhász pitched in with 10 points and 12 boards.
Moriah Jefferson totaled a career-high 32 points for Phoenix (9-28). Brittney Griner added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Jefferson hit a shot and the Mercury made 5 of 6 free throws to close out the first quarter on a 7-0 run for a 19-18 lead.
Minnesota fell behind by eight early in the second period. Rachel Banham's four-point play with 45 seconds left gave the Lynx a 41-39 lead before Sug Sutton made a layup to pull the Mercury even at halftime.
McBride had nine points in a pivotal third quarter, Collier scored eight and the Lynx took a commanding 69-54 lead into the final period.
Phoenix falls to 1-18 on the road this season.
Regular Season Series
MIN wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 73 - 86 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 73 - 86 |
| 4th 6.1 |  |
Ashley Joens makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sug Sutton assists) | 73 - 86 |
| 4th 12.1 |  |
Dorka Juhasz makes 23-foot three point jumper (Diamond Miller assists) | 70 - 86 |
| 4th 32.0 | |
Diamond Miller defensive rebound | 70 - 83 |
Statistics
 PHX |
 MIN |
|
|---|---|---|
| 25-68 | FG | 31-72 |
| 37 | Field Goal % | 43 |
| 7-14 | 3PT | 9-21 |
| 50 | Three Point % | 43 |
| 16-22 | FT | 15-22 |
| 73 | Free Throw % | 68 |
| 37 | Rebounds | 41 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
| 28 | Defensive Rebounds | 31 |
| 13 | Assists | 28 |
| 5 | Steals | 6 |
| 1 | Blocks | 5 |
| 12 | Turnovers | 12 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 12 | Total Turnovers | 12 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 11 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 11 |
| 5 | Fast Break Points | 6 |
| 30 | Points in Paint | 36 |
| 21 | Fouls | 23 |
| 8 | Largest Lead | 18 |
Game Information
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 7,314 · Capacity:
2025-26 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Las Vegas |
- | 1 | W3 | 0.75 | 3 |
 Golden State |
0.5 | 1 | L1 | 0.6666667 | 2 |
 Minnesota |
0.5 | 1 | W2 | 0.6666667 | 2 |
 Phoenix |
1 | 2 | W1 | 0.5 | 2 |
 Portland |
1.5 | 2 | L1 | 0.33333334 | 1 |
 Dallas |
1.5 | 2 | L2 | 0.33333334 | 1 |
 Seattle |
1.5 | 2 | L1 | 0.33333334 | 1 |
 Los Angeles |
1.5 | 2 | W1 | 0.33333334 | 1 |
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Nogic scores 27 points, Mercury blow big lead before topping Sky 91-83
— Jovana Nogic scored 27 points and the Phoenix Mercury topped the Chicago Sky 91-83 on Friday night after blowing a 17-point lead in the second half.