The Minnesota Lynx can advance to the next round of the WNBA playoffs on Wednesday when they go for a first-round series sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in Minneapolis.
Minnesota, the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, won 102-95 in Game 1 of this best-of-three set behind a season-high 38 points, six rebounds and four assists from forward Napheesa Collier. Kayla McBride added 20 points and hit four crucial free throws late to put the game on ice.
The Lynx had gone ahead by as many as 23 points before the Mercury took a one-point lead with 2:06 to play on a layup from Natasha Cloud, who led Phoenix with 33 points. Minnesota scored on 10 of its final 12 possessions to take the lead back and seal the victory.
But Minnesota also knows that, while its offensive performance in Game 1 was impressive, it has to play better defense to shut the door on Phoenix. The Mercury shot 50 percent from the floor and 51.9 percent from 3-point land in the series opener.
Collier has been one of the WNBA’s best defenders this year, ranking second in steals per game (1.9) and first in defensive win shares (0.233) during the regular season. She was also tied for sixth in blocks per game (1.4).
For Phoenix, a loss in Game 2 might mark the end of 42-year-old guard Diana Taurasi’s WNBA career. She had 21 points against the Lynx on Sunday.
