Natisha Heideman scored 13 of her 18 points in the first half on Tuesday as the Lynx overcame a slow start to run their season-opening winning streak to eight with an 88-65 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Target Center.
Napheesa Collier posted her fourth straight double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride each scored 13, with McBride adding seven assists.
The Lynx trailed throughout the first quarter, with Phoenix pulling out to a 23-14 lead. But Minnesota scored the last five points of the quarter on a Karlie Samuelson 3-pointer and a transition layup by Heideman.
That was the start of a 14-0 run that included another Heideman fast-break and another Samuelson 3-pointer.
Meanwhile, the Lynx clamped down on defense, holding the Sun to 5-for-19 shooting and just 12 points in the second quarter. Heideman added seven more points, including a late 3 that gave the Lynx a 44-35 lead at the half.
The Mercury hung around throughout the second half, but Minnesota put it away with a quick 9-0 burst over a 45-second span in the fourth quarter.
Collier converted a three-point play, and after a Phoenix miss, Bridget Carleton hit a corner 3. Then after a Courtney Williams steal, Collier found McBride in the opposite corner for another 3-pointer, giving the Lynx an 80-56 lead.
Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8), front, falls over Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Leave a Reply