Phoenix Mercury rally to defeat Lynx and reach WNBA Finals
- The Phoenix Mercury narrowly defeated the Minnesota Lynx after overcoming a 13-point deficit.
- Key contributions came from Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, who combined for significant points in the final quarter.
- With this victory, the Mercury advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.
In a thrilling WNBA semifinal matchup held on September 27, 2025, in the United States, the Phoenix Mercury triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx to secure a spot in the WNBA Finals. The game, which was Game 4 of a best-of-five series, showcased exceptional performances from key players, notably Alyssa Thomas, who scored 23 points, and DeWanna Bonner, who made critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Facing a 13-point deficit, the Mercury used strategic gameplay and resilience to overcome Minnesota's strong start, resulting in an impressive comeback. The Lynx initially controlled the game, establishing a robust lead of 68-55 heading into the final quarter. However, the Mercury gradually chipped away at the deficit, closing the gap with a significant 3-pointer from Sami Whitcomb with just under five minutes left on the clock. This sparked a critical momentum shift, ultimately allowing the Mercury to retake the lead through Bonner's crucial three-pointers. Bonner's late-game performance proved pivotal, as she scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, helping secure the 86-81 victory. Minnesota, the top-seeded team in the league, found themselves in a difficult position due to the absence of their head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended due to her contentious behavior towards officials in the previous game. In addition, the Lynx played without All-Star guard Napheesa Collier, sidelined by an ankle injury, which significantly impacted their performance. Despite these setbacks, Kayla McBride shone for Minnesota, leading all scorers with 31 points, including six 3-pointers in the second half. The Lynx launched a commendable effort but ultimately fell short against a motivated Mercury team determined to make a mark after a four-year absence from the Finals. With this win, the Phoenix Mercury, who last won a championship in 2014, will now face the winner of the Indiana-Las Vegas series in the championship series. Indiana forced a deciding Game 5 earlier the same day with a victory over Las Vegas, setting up an exciting matchup in the finals. As the Mercury look forward to their return to the title series, they aim to capitalize on their current momentum and secure their first championship in over a decade.