With their top scorer out, Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith largely took over Friday for the Minnesota Lynx.
But it was Natisha Hiedeman with the game-winning 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds left and the Lynx rallied past Phoenix 74-71 in a game between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Out of a timeout, Phoenix turned the ball over with 13.6 seconds left to give the Lynx a chance.
McBride scored 20 points and Smith had 19 for Minnesota (6-0) which played without Napheesa Collier, who missed the game with right knee soreness.
Coach Cheryl Reeve said pregame that Collier’s pain wasn’t from anything that happened in a recent game.
“It’s something that she’s been dealing with since probably 2023, some knee stuff. Just more precautionary,” Reeve said.
Named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Wednesday, Collier leads the league in scoring at 26.8 points per game.
“We’ve got a good basketball team,” Reeve said. “Certainly, we’re great with Phee; we think we’re a very good basketball team without Phee.”
Maybe so, but Minnesota struggled from the field, shooting a season-low 36.2%, but was clutch when it mattered going 8 for 18 in the fourth quarter, making three of its eight 3-pointers.
Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard and Courtney Williams were a combined 10 for 31 from the field.
Phoenix (4-2) outscored Minnesota 44-22 in the paint.
Phoenix played without Alyssa Thomas (strained left calf), who is averaging 15.2 points, eight assists and 7.6 rebounds per game to start the season.
Four upcoming games to be on free TV
Beginning with Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Golden State, four Lynx broadcasts on FanDuel Sports Network will be simulcast on KARE Ch. 11.
The other games are June 8 at Dallas, June 29 vs. Connecticut and July 6 vs. Chicago.
“We are thrilled to return to free over-the-air television with KARE 11, providing Lynx fans more access to incredible Lynx basketball,” Lynx President of Business Operations Carley Knox said in a statement. “This partnership allows both organizations to remain committed to direct connection and engagement with fans and viewers alike.”
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