Mercury run out of steam against Lynx for 4th straight loss

Kayla McBride scored a season-high 37 points and rookie Olivia Miles had a career-high 33 as the Minnesota Lynx outlasted the Phoenix Mercury 104-100 on Monday night.

McBride’s sixth 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 101-98 lead with 45.1 seconds left. Miles also had eight assists.

Miles drove into the lane and found Natasha Howard for a layup with 21.1 seconds left to make it 103-100. Courtney Williams had a steal at the other end, and Miles made 1 of 2 free throws for a four-point lead.

The game featured 23 lead changes and 13 ties — with both teams shooting 55% from the field. Minnesota (18-6) made 24 of 26 free throws.

McBride finished one point shy of her career high set in 2018. Miles became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists — doing it in 22 games.

Kahleah Copper scored 26 points, and Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists for Phoenix (8-17). DeWanna Bonner and Monique Akoa Makani each added 17 points.

The Mercury led 75-69 to begin the fourth quarter, but the Lynx surged back with 35 points in the final frame.

The loss was the Phoenix’s fourth straight. Next up, the Mercury will face the Sun twice over the weekend (Friday and Sunday).

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