The Phoenix Mercury are now a step closer to the WNBA Finals after securing a win against the Minnesota Lynx with a final score of 84-76 in Game 3 of their playoff series. Phoenix now leads the series 2-1. ABC 15 reports that Satou Sabally racked up a significant 23 points, 15 of which she scored in the fourth quarter, steering the Mercury towards a pivotal victory.
Illustrating the game's neck-to-neck nature, the matchup featured 15 lead changes with the Lynx maintaining the advantage at the end of the third quarter. However, the Mercury's offense, buoyed by Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, who each contributed 21 points, proved too much for the top-seeded Lynx. A game-changing moment arrived when Sabally landed a three-pointer, changing the lead to favor Phoenix, followed by two successful free throws to widen the team's lead, as captured by KJZZ News.
Another dramatic turn occurred when Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected from the game after receiving her second technical foul. The incident coincided with an injury to Napheesa Collier, who, according to Reeve in a statement obtained by KJZZ News, "probably has a fracture" after rolling her ankle. The injury forced Collier to exit the court with assistance, casting a shadow over the Lynx's already dimming prospects for the series.
Reflecting on the matchup, Mercury coach Nate Tibbets focused on his team's resiliency, telling KJZZ News, "This is a team that believes in each other - been overlooked a little all year. But one thing we are is tough and we fight, we compete and we did that in the fourth. We made it hard on every possession and that’s what good defensive teams do." The team's combined efforts have set the stage for a potential close-out Game 4, which is scheduled to take place in Phoenix.
The Mercury came into Game 3 riding the momentum of a previous 20-point comeback win that tied the series, making for the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history. With the next game at their home court, the Mercury could punch their ticket to the Finals and continue what has been a hard-fought and closely watched series.
