Mercury struggles to keep pace with Lynx in blowout

Phoenix looked in control during the first quarter, with Kitija Laksa and Satou Sabally combing for 15 points. Although the team had missed three-pointers, the Mercury was shooting 72.8% from the paint. Phoenix took a 23-19 lead into the second, but things quickly turned around.

The Lynx wasted no time tying the game in the first minute of the second quarter, 23-23. Minnesota went on a 14-point run, with a three-pointer from Phoenix’s Megan McConnell breaking it. The Mercury struggled with shots beyond the arc, only shooting 11.1% in the second. The Lynx took a 44-35 into halftime.

The second half proved to be much of the same as the second quarter. Minnesota opened a 24-point lead after three and the Mercury couldn’t string enough offense to make it close. Phoenix shot 38.4% from the field and 16.7% from three as a team.

Minnesota shot 58.6% from the field and 48.0% from three as a team, sealing in a win.

Lexi Held led the scoring for Phoenix with 16 points, and Napheesa Collier led the scoring for Minnesota with 18 points.

Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts was asked about the team’s shooting after the game, to which he felt the team was “careless” in the second quarter and the first half was “rushed.”

“We’re just asking a lot of people to do some things that normally they’re not used to doing,” he said. “I think some nights it’s going to be easier than others.”

Rotating Roster

The Mercury has been dealing with injuries, with Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack out. The roster has had major changes since it was established before the season. The team has lost two more players: Alyssa Thomas is now unavailable with an injury and Sevgi Uzun was waived earlier this week.

The Mercury has brought in Haley Jones and Megan McConnell to fill in spots. Tibbetts acknowledges how hard it has been to catch new players up to speed on how the team operates with little time to practice.

“It makes it extremely tough to put a well-executed group out there,” he said. “Just because everyone’s learning on the fly.”

What’s Next

Phoenix Mercury continues its long stretch back home and looks towards regrouping against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m.