MINNESOTA — After a first-round win over the New York Liberty on Friday, the Phoenix Mercury will face the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx in a best-of-five WNBA semifinal series starting Sunday.
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Sep 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) dribbles against the New York Liberty during the second half of game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Mercury enter the semifinals riding a wave of momentum after two straight wins against the defending champions to advance in the playoffs. While Game 1 didn’t go their way, the Mercury bounced back in Game 2 and kept their composure in Game 3 to take a three-game series win.
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas averaged 16.3 points with 8.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.3 steals in the series. She had a triple-double against the Liberty in Game 3.
Sep 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) puts up a layup over New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the second half of game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
“I think no one has picked us to win,” Thomas said, according to the team’s post-game notes. “But also, no one’s been paying attention this year or in the series of how we played New York. So, for us, it’s not about panicking. I think if you watch any of the games, you knew it was going to come down to the wire. Both of us don’t want our season to end, and for us, we’re just keeping our composure and continuing to do what we’re doing.”
Phoenix’s playoff path won’t get any easier.
Sep 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) goes up for a layup over New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) during the second half of game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Lynx ended the regular season with the best record in the league, 34-10, securing the first seed in the playoffs. Minnesota punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 75-74 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Sept. 17, completing a first-round sweep.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier averaged 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists against the Valkyries in the first round. She shot 63.0% from the field.
Jul 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
However, Phoenix forward Satou Sabally credits communication with the group as a pillar of the team’s success this season and hopes it will continue into the next round.
“We knew that we [had] to handle conflicts really quickly,” Sabally said, according to the team’s post-game notes. “And it happens throughout the season. It brings you together, it brings you closer, you mold… And I feel like right now, it’s just like we’re complete. And it feels great to feel that way, and it feels great to really go into the next round with full focus and a lot of confidence in what we’ve done this season.”
The last time the Mercury and Lynx faced each other in the playoffs was in 2024, when Minnesota swept Phoenix in the first round, 2-0.
BRACKET UPDATE 🚨
The Semi-Finals are locked in and here’s a look at the updated bracket for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google .
The Minnesota Lynx will take on the Phoenix Mercury
The Las Vegas Aces will face the Indiana FeverRound two starts this Sunday, September… pic.twitter.com/DHM1GWUt2u
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx play Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Liberty’s Breanna Stewart praises Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas after first-round exit
