After dropping Game 1, when the Lynx flipped the script with a dominant second half, the Phoenix Mercury answered with a script-flip of their own Tuesday night. Phoenix clawed back from a 16-point halftime deficit to force overtime and ultimately claim an 89–83 win, evening the series at 1–1.
Minnesota looked every bit the top seed in the opening half. Napheesa Collier poured in 17 points, Kayla McBride added 11, and Courtney Williams chipped in 10 as the Lynx built a 48–32 lead. Phoenix didn’t help themselves either, coughing up nine turnovers to Minnesota’s four.
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But the second half belonged to the Mercury. Phoenix forced 11 Lynx turnovers and converted them into 16 points. They outscored Minnesota 47–31 after the break, fueled by 8-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc. That surge pushed the game into overtime, where Alyssa Thomas took over, scoring 7 of Phoenix’s 10 points in the extra frame to seal the victory.
Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 24 points, while Thomas added 19 points and 13 assists in her standout performance. Being down 20, it was the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history.
“I think it just says we’re very resilient. We’re a tough group,” head coach Nate Tibbets said after the game. “It would have been very easy for us to give-in tonight. A lot of teams would’ve.”
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With the series now tied, the action shifts to Phoenix. Game 3 tips off Friday at 6:30 p.m. at PHX Arena, with momentum up for grabs in this pivotal matchup.
