Phoenix Mercury Achieves Historic Comeback Against Minnesota Lynx
In an epic showdown that will be etched in the memory of fans, the Phoenix Mercury tied their WNBA semi-final series against the Minnesota Lynx, achieving an unprecedented comeback in the history of the league. The Lynx, known for their solidity, had never lost a playoff game leading at halftime by double digits, nor a game in which they surpassed their opponent by 16 or more points at halftime. However, on Tuesday, history changed. After trailing 48-32 at halftime, the fourth-seeded Mercury demonstrated unwavering tenacity. With a stellar performance, they managed to cut the deficit and force a tie thanks to a crucial three-pointer by Sami Whitcomb with only 4.3 seconds left on the clock. The game went into overtime, where the Mercury completed their spectacular comeback, tying the biggest comeback in WNBA playoff history. This achievement equals that of the Chicago Sky in 2014.Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts praised his team’s determination, anticipating an electrifying atmosphere in the upcoming games in Phoenix.Nobody said this would be easy.
Cheryl Reeve, Lynx Coach
At halftime, with the series hanging by a thread, Tibbetts motivated his team with a speech that, according to Whitcomb, was key to awakening the Mercury’s grit. In the second half, they outscored the Lynx 22-14 in the third quarter, changing the course of the game.
The Lynx, who led the regular season with an impressive record, made mistakes and displayed body language that did not reflect their usual performance. The key play came when the Lynx lost the ball due to a five-second violation, allowing Alyssa Thomas to score for Phoenix. With the score 79-76 in favor of the Lynx, Whitcomb scored the tying three-pointer, culminating the incredible comeback. Whitcomb, known for her dedication to shooting training, highlighted the importance of practice for facing crucial moments in the game. Sabally led the Mercury with 24 points and 9 rebounds, while Thomas contributed 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. Whitcomb contributed 13 points off the bench. Collier lamented the ball losses and the Lynx’s lack of composure, but he was optimistic about the upcoming games in Phoenix.They came out very aggressive, especially in transition. We had a lot of turnovers, so reducing that would have made a big difference.
Napheesa Collier, Lynx Player
