Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Pleased with Team Win Over Phoenix Mercury originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With the WNBA All-Star break at hand, the Minnesota Lynx wanted to head into a few days off on a good note. They managed to do just that on Wednesday afternoon, getting a team-oriented 79-66 win over the Phoenix Mercury.
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Kayla McBride led Minnesota, which now sits 20-4 on the season, with 18 points and Courtney Williams added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, according to The Associated Press. Alanna Smith had 11 points and Napheesa Collier added 10 as the Lynx get ready to send Collier, Williams, and McBride to Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.
“Phoenix is big and had to play bigger as a result of some of their injuries,” Reeve said after the game. “Rebounding is something we talk about a lot so anytime we get it done is worth celebrating.”
Jessica Shepard gets high praise from Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for her efforts against Phoenix in victory
Reeve was quite pleased with the play of Jessica Shepard against Phoenix. “When Jess has a mindset of being a playmaker, Jess is so good,” Reeve said. “It’s like having another point guard out there. She’s so good at making other players better.”
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Collier is the Western Conference’s team captain and opposes Eastern Conference team captain Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. But Clark suffered an injured groin in a game on Tuesday night, so her availability for the WNBA All-Star Game might be in question.
As for Wednesday’s matchup, it was an all-around team performance for the Lynx. All 10 players managed to score for Minnesota.
“We go to war every day for each other, with each other,” McBride said, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “So, to have this inflection point of, we’re all here at the All-Star game together and having this great season we’re having … it’s just a cool inflection point for our organization.”
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The Lynx held a 37-33 halftime lead, then stretched it out to 57-44 in the third quarter. After that, Minnesota kept up the pace and secured the victory. Phoenix ended up missing eight straight shots and ended up on the losing end.
Phoenix was led by Alyssa Thomas with 12 points and nine assists as the Mercury fall to 15-7 on the season. Kalani Brown and DeWanna Bonner added 11 points apiece as the Lynx and Mercury played before a packed house filled with students at Target Center.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
