Mercury set for WNBA semifinals against Lynx

The Mercury enter the semifinals riding a wave of momentum after two straight wins against the defending champions to advance in the playoffs. While Game 1 didn’t go their way, the Mercury bounced back in Game 2 and kept their composure in Game 3 to take a three-game series win.

Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas averaged 16.3 points with 8.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.3 steals in the series. She had a triple-double against the Liberty in Game 3.

“I think no one has picked us to win,” Thomas said, according to the team’s post-game notes. “But also, no one’s been paying attention this year or in the series of how we played New York. So, for us, it’s not about panicking. I think if you watch any of the games, you knew it was going to come down to the wire. Both of us don’t want our season to end, and for us, we’re just keeping our composure and continuing to do what we’re doing.”

Phoenix’s playoff path won’t get any easier.

The Lynx ended the regular season with the best record in the league, 34-10, securing the first seed in the playoffs. Minnesota punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 75-74 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Sept. 17, completing a first-round sweep.

Lynx forward Napheesa Collier averaged 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists against the Valkyries in the first round. She shot 63.0% from the field.

However, Phoenix forward Satou Sabally credits communication with the group as a pillar of the team’s success this season and hopes it will continue into the next round.

“We knew that we [had] to handle conflicts really quickly,” Sabally said, according to the team’s post-game notes. “And it happens throughout the season. It brings you together, it brings you closer, you mold… And I feel like right now, it’s just like we’re complete. And it feels great to feel that way, and it feels great to really go into the next round with full focus and a lot of confidence in what we’ve done this season.”

The last time the Mercury and Lynx faced each other in the playoffs was in 2024, when Minnesota swept Phoenix in the first round, 2-0.

The Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx play Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m.