Lynx 101, Mercury 88: Collier Ties Playoff Scoring Record as Minnesota Sweeps

Napheesa Collier scored 42 points, tying the WNBA single-game playoff scoring record as the Lynx advance past the Mercury.

After the thrilling 102-95 victory in Game 1 on Sunday, the Minnesota Lynx look to secure the series win against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs. If not, the series will head to Phoenix for a winner-take-all Game 3.

In what could be the final game in the storied career of Diana Taurasi, the Mercury came out of the gates on fire, making their first six shots from the floor including a long-range shot from Taurasi to put Phoenix up 13-5.

After a timeout from Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx would finish the quarter strong, making seven of their next ten shots to cut the Phoenix lead to four heading into the first break.

Minnesota would begin to take hold of the game in the second quarter, going on a 13-4 run capped off by a Bridget Carleton 3-pointer, leading to a Mercury timeout.

The Lynx would build the lead to as many as nine points before a 14-5 Phoenix run tied the game up. The Lynx would hit a pair of free throws before the half to give themselves a 49-47 lead at halftime.

Napheesa Collier continued her stellar play, scoring 23 points on 8-12 shooting from the field while adding three assists and two blocks in the first half.

The Lynx would again build a lead, outscoring Phenix 27-17 in the third quarter giving them a 12-point lead heading into the final ten minutes of the game. Collier continued her sensational play, scoring another eight points in the third, bringing her up to 31 points for the game.

Collier would continue her dominant play to start the fourth quarter, scoring again off of this beautiful pass by Kayla McBride to put Minnesota up 13.

Collier and the Lynx would continue to pour it on, hitting a three from the corner to give her 41 points on the night.

After a Brittney Grinner layup and a Lynx timeout, Collier would get fouled and make one of two free throws to tie the WNBA single-game playoff scoring record previously set by Angel McCoughtry and Breanna Stewart.

That would prove to be enough as the Lynx would secure a 101-88 victory over the Mercury to advance to the WNBA semifinals.

Collier added five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal to her record-setting scoring night. Every member of the Lynx’s starting five scored in double-figures with Natisha Hiedeman adding eight points off the bench.

Griner led the way for the Mercury, scoring 24 points on just 15 shots. Taurasi, in what could be the final game of her legendary career, scored 10 points before fouling out with just over two and a half minutes left in the game.

---

Up Next

With the win, the Lynx move on to the Semifinals of the WNBA playoffs where they will face a familiar foe, the Connecticut Sun, who knocked the Lynx out of the playoffs just last season.

That series will begin at Target Center this Sunday, September 29 at 7:30 PM CT. Fans can watch the game on ESPN.