Short-handed Mercury overmatched by Lynx with Napheesa Collier back

Napheesa Collier had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury for their second series victory in five days.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jun 3, 2025, 7:32 PM Updated: Jun 4, 2025, 12:33 pm

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles down the court as Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (1) defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, Natisha Hiedeman also scored 18 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-65 on Tuesday night for their second series victory in five days.

The Lynx also beat the Mercury 74-71 on Friday without Collier, who was out with a lingering knee injury.

Minnesota has started a season 8-0 for the fourth time in franchise history — the same amount as all of the other WNBA teams combined.

After trailing 23-14 with 44.5 seconds left in the first quarter, the Lynx outscored the Mercury 49-23 to take a 63-46 lead with 2:41 remaining in the third.

Minnesota went on a 9-0 run midway through the fourth on a three-point play by Collier and back-to-back 3-pointers by Bridget Carleton and Kayla McBride to make it 80-56.

The Lynx finished with a season-high 29 assists on 34 made field goals, but also turned it over 23 times.

Lexi Held scored 16 points and Satou Sabally had 15 points and eight rebounds for Phoenix (5-3). Kitija Laksa added 10 points.

Sabally scored her first points of the second half with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter.

Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack were all out for Phoenix.