MINNEAPOLIS — The Phoenix Mercury fell short in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals, falling to the Minnesota Lynx 82-69 on Sunday afternoon.
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Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the first half during game one of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Both teams traded leads and shots throughout the game, but it was the second half that unraveled for Phoenix. The Mercury were kept to 22 points in the second half, with 3-point shooting troubles. The team shot 13.0% from beyond the arc.
“[Minnesota] really did a good job defensively in the second half,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said post-game. “… They turned it up at that end. Obviously, we didn’t shoot it very well from three. I think that was another factor. They did what they were supposed to do: win Game 1.”
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) dribbles the ball as Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) plays defense in the first half during game one of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas had 18 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, while Kahleah Copper led the scoring with 22 points. Despite the loss, the Mercury are ready to improve and make their necessary adjustments before Game 2 on Tuesday.
“I mean, [the Lynx] made adjustments,” Thomas said post-game. “I still think we had a lot of open shots. … Where we didn’t hit open ones, of course, that’s the beauty of the series. We’ll go back, watch the video and see what we can do better.”
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots the ball over Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the first half during game one of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Phoenix will look to regroup and even the series after a cold second half hampered their Game 1 effort.
BASELINE CASH FROM KAH! pic.twitter.com/iSt67whDkH
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 21, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx play Game 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 4:30 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
