Wrapping up the regualr season series finale, the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx and sixth-seeded Phoenix Mercury collide on Wednesday night in the Valley.
The Lynx beat Phoenix both times in Minnesota, with 50 bench points powering the Lynx to a 95-71 blowout win on May 31 and persevering despite a stronger defensive presence by Phoenix, claiming a 73-60 victory on June 22.
When these two teams faced each other in Arizona, however, Kahleah Copper became a hero.
During the Commissioner’s Cup run in which the Mercury went 3-1, the seesaw game went back and forth before Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts called a timeout down by one with 5.1 seconds left, 80-79.
On the ensuing play, Sophie Cunningham inbounded the ball to Brittney Griner. Knowing time was not on her side, Griner handed it off to Copper who flushed a last-gasp 3-pointer with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock, lifting the roof off of Footprint Center with a loud roar from the Mercury faithful as they won 81-80. Copper scored 34 points in the victory.
Here is Kahleah Copper’s (@kahleahcopper ) clutch, game-winning 3 with less than a second left in the game, propelling the Mercury to an 81-80 win over the Lynx. #ValleyTogether #WNBA #LynxRecognize pic.twitter.com/CrlAsR2cM9
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 8, 2024
Based on multiple scenarios to advance, Minnesota did ultimately move on to the tournament championship against the New York Liberty and won the Commissioner’s Cup.
A dominant force in the Western Conference throughout the season, the Lynx are one of the hottest teams in the WNBA. Minnesota is a perfect 6-0 in their last six games and 8-2 in their last 10.
Led by two-time Olympic gold medalist Napheesa Collier, the Lynx are the No. 1 seed in their conference and are right behind the Connecticut Sun for second in the entire league. The four-time All-Star is averaging 21.1 points (No. 4 in WNBA), 10.0 rebounds (No. 3), 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals (No. 2) per game.
Not just her, but the supporting cast of Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith have made Minnesota a true title contender. McBride leads the league in 3-pointers scored (87) while Smith is third in 3-point percentage (43.5%) and blocks (1.7) per game.
Here is the rest of what you need to know before the game tonight at 7 p.m. PT:
Injuries
Phoenix Mercury: G/F Rebecca Allen (Right Hamstring), G Charisma Osborne (Left Lower Leg)
Minnesota Lynx:Â N/A
Projected Starting Lineups
Phoenix Mercury:
G Natasha Cloud
G Diana Taurasi
F Sophie Cunningham
F Kahleah Copper
C Brittney Griner
Minnesota Lynx:
G Courtney Williams
G Kayla McBride
F Napheesa Collier
F Bridget Carleton
F Alanna Smith
Milestone Watch
- McBride needs six more 3-pointers made to pass women’s basketball legend Tamika Catchings for ninth all-time (606) in WNBA history. She is eight behind former Mercury DeWanna Bonner who currently has 609 in her career.
- Since joining Minnesota in 2021 via free agency, McBride is also three 3-pointers behind Seimone Augustus (281) for third all-time in Lynx franchise history. Lynx icon Maya Moore is on top with 530 and Katie Smith is second when she finished with 460.
- Collier is three rebounds away from overtaking Augustus (1,191) for fourth most in Lynx history.
- Former Mercury first-round draft pick Courtney Williams is 10 rebounds from 1,500 in her nine-year career.
- Diana Taurasi is three free throws made from career No. 2,500. She is the all-time leader in the category and will look to add yet another significant accomplishment to her resume.
Mercury trio broke 3 records amidst officiating issues, setting season-high in turnovers
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
