Historic Comeback: Phoenix Mercury Ties WNBA Semifinal Series
In a night filled with excitement and unexpected twists, the Phoenix Mercury achieved an unprecedented feat in WNBA history. The team, led by a stellar performance, overcame a 16-point deficit on the scoreboard to defeat the Minnesota Lynx in overtime, tying the semifinal series 1-1. The Lynx, who had never lost a playoff game leading at halftime by a double-digit margin, nor a game with a 16-point or more lead at halftime, were surprised by the Mercury’s determination. The game, played at the Target Center, saw the Mercury go into halftime with a 48-32 deficit. However, the Phoenix team didn’t give up and, with a gritty performance, managed to close the gap and force overtime thanks to a crucial three-pointer by Sami Whitcomb with 4.3 seconds left on the clock. In overtime, the Mercury completed the comeback, matching the biggest comeback in WNBA playoff history, a feat they share with the 2014 Chicago Sky.“Nobody said this would be easy,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve commented.
Cheryl Reeve
After losing the first game of the series, the Mercury were on the brink. Coach Tibbetts, in his halftime speech, injected a dose of motivation that ignited his team. In the third quarter, the Mercury outscored the Lynx 22-14, completely changing the game’s dynamic. Aggressiveness in transition and the reduction of turnovers were key to the comeback. The game was decided in the final seconds, when a Lynx error led to a basket by Alyssa Thomas for Phoenix. Subsequently, Whitcomb scored the three-pointer that tied the score, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure. Sami Whitcomb, known for her dedication to training, attributed her success to constant practice and the trust of her teammates. “I was joking, 20,000 [practice shots] for a shot,” Whitcomb said. Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas contributed 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. Whitcomb added 13 points off the bench. Napheesa Collier, with 24 points for the Lynx, acknowledged that their own mistakes were decisive in the defeat. “I think we beat ourselves,” Collier stated.“Pride, tenacity, and courage. I couldn’t be prouder of my team for achieving this. Phoenix will be in a frenzy on Friday and Sunday (for games 3 and 4),” expressed Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts.
Nate Tibbetts
