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WNBA: Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx – Report From Section 111

Originally posted on Beyond Women's Sports
By Martin Ruben | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 11:13 AM ET

It was high noon at Target Center when the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury tipped off for the annual camp day game. Over 16,000 kids and fans did their part in raising the roof. So did the Lynx and the Mercury, in an important game in terms of potential playoff standings. It turned out well for Minnesota. Not so well for Phoenix.

In true Lynx/Mercury fashion, it was action packed (although the score might not indicate it) and provided plenty of entertainment. Eight Mercury players and ten Lynx players took the floor. Everyone scored. Minnesota jumped on Phoenix in the first quarter, limiting them to 10 points. Phoenix took the second quarter.

At halftime, the score was Minnesota 37 and Phoenix 34, low scoring, but no shortage of fast paced play. The third quarter saw the Lynx outplay Phoenix 27 – 16. Although the Mercury got as close as 10 points in the fourth, the Lynx held on and out muscled the Mercury to take a 79 – 66 win. The Lynx are the first team to reach 20 wins this season, and at the moment hold a four-game lead over the Liberty and the Mercury.

Recap Of The Mercury Vs. Lynx

The game was a complete team effort. With only eight available players, the Mercury relied heavily on their starters, although Kitija Laksa and Kiana Williams saw significant minutes. Alyssa Thomas played 32 minutes and scored a team leading 12 points. The only other players in double figures were DeWanna Bonner with 11 and Kalani Brown off the bench with 11.

12-0 at home pic.twitter.com/vReAclEm5k
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 16, 2025

Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 18 points followed by Courtney Williams with 12, Alanna Smith with 11, and Napheesa Collier with 10, certainly an off day.

Bonner seems to have fit right back into her old uniform. Playing along side of Alyssa Thomas brought their old Connecticut Sun energy. If anything, Bonner looks slightly tamer than her previous stint in Phoenix, but no less passionate. Phoenix have a lot of points not suited up. Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, Lexi Held, and Monique Akoa-Makani are certainly missed, and upon their return, Phoenix is going to be an even more formidable opponent.

After the Lynx waived Alissa Pili, there’s been a lot of speculation about whether or not they will sign someone, in particular free agent Emma Meesseman. Phoenix may be in the running, as well as the New York Liberty. Meesseman would be a great addition to the Lynx, to anyone, in fact. I’m not going to speculate about who might go to the bench were Meesseman to sign with any of these teams, but with starting line-ups well established, it will be a very tough decision.

A Pause For Indianapolis And The All-Star Break

Things stop after today for the All-Star weekend. Given injuries, particularly another injury to Caitlin Clark, we’ll see who ends up playing. Hopefully Clark will be able to suit up. Kayla McBride was chosen to replace Rhyne Howard due to injury. Hopefully no one else goes down before Saturday.

When regular season play resumes next week, Phoenix goes home to welcome the Atlanta Dream. The Lynx stay home to meet the pesky Chicago Sky, who have given Minnesota a hard time. The Lynx are 2 – 1 versus the Sky. I’m sure they’d like to make it 3 – 1.

And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.

This article first appeared on Beyond Women's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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