The Minnesota Lynx will try to extend their season-best winning streak to five games by beating the visiting Phoenix Mercury for the second time in less than a week on Friday in Minneapolis.
The Lynx (8-9) knocked off the host Mercury 86-76 on Saturday before opening their four-game homestand with a 90-83 victory over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday. The Mercury (3-13) followed their setback against the Lynx with a 99-95 loss at the New York Liberty on Wednesday for their eighth defeat in nine games.
In the teams’ last meeting, the Mercury took a 55-51 lead on Sug Sutton’s 3-pointer with 4:25 left in the third quarter, but the Lynx ended the period on a 10-2 run to take 61-57 advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.
Diamond Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, finished with a season-high 25 points and five steals, while Napheesa Collier had 16 points and nine rebounds. Rachel Banham scored a season-high 13 points off the bench.
The Mercury were paced by Brittney Griner’s 23 points and five rebounds, while Moriah Jefferson chipped in 14 points, a team-high seven assists and four rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere had 10 points and Brianna Turner grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
But Phoenix was undone by 24 turnovers, which the Lynx converted into 18 points.
The Lynx have won eight of their past 11 games after starting the season 0-6.
Collier has scored more than 30 points in three of her past four games, including 32 against the Fever.
Minnesota fell to the host Mercury 90-81 in the first meeting between the teams, who conclude their season series on Sept. 3 in Minneapolis.
