In one of the most improbable comebacks in WNBA playoff history, the Phoenix Mercury, who trailed by 20 points midway through the 3rd quarter, rallied to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime. The series is now tied at one game apiece.
Led by the intensity and playmaking of Alyssa Thomas and the clutch shooting of Satou Sabally, the Mercury stepped up their team effort and pulled off a stunning victory.
With four seconds left in regulation, Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game into overtime. In OT, the Mercury ran away with the game with offensive efficiency and defensive prowess.
Thomas scored 19 points and 13 assists, the 10th time she’s had at least 10 points and 10 assists, a WNBA playoff record. Sabally scored 24 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, and went 5 of 11 on 3-pointers. Also, the Mercury bench outscored the Lynx bench 25-3.
“We’re confident in us, and we’ve been battling all season long,” Sabally said. “You can’t give up a basketball game if you’re down.”
“They ripped the game from us,” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. The Lynx committed four unforced turnovers in 65 seconds during the third quarter.
For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier scored 24 points but only scored three shots after halftime.
“You have to play like that to get back in the game, and that’s exactly what they did,” Collier said.
After their Game 1 loss to the Indiana Fever, the Las Vegas Aces responded with a dominant 90-68 victory in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals, tying the series at one game apiece.
League MVP A’ja Wilson was on her A-game following a lackluster performance at Game 1. She scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded a playoff career-high five steals. NaLyssa Smith had 18 points, and Chelsea Gray handed out 10 assists.
Early in the game, the Aces were in complete control, leading by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, and held off every comeback attempt from the Fever.
Following the win, Wilson said that Aces never doubted each other after dropping game 1.
“I think Game 2, we just decided to come to work,” Wilson said in the postgame.“When we do that and we play the right way, good things happen. I don’t necessarily think (Game 1) was a wake-up call. I told my team I was embarrassed less than the 53-point loss. No one panicked.”
“When the pressure starts to escalate, I know they know how to cook under pressure,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon added. “So I just trust them. I’m fiery over there. I’m Italian, I can’t help it, but they’re cool under pressure.”
On Friday, Aces take on the Fever at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by the Lynx and the Mercury at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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