The Minnesota Lynx started this game against the Phoenix Mercury on fire as they got the ball to their All-WNBA Player Naphessa Collier. It looked like Collier couldn’t be stopped in that 1st half as she was getting buckets inside and outside. One of the best attributes of Napheesa’s game is that she is so unselfish and she’s one of the best teammates. When she had it going she was able to instill some confidence in her teammates when they were scoring and going off her play. Napheesa was making it tough for anyone that the Phoenix Mercury put on her and it didn’t matter if it was Cunningham/Copper she was a walking bucket. When Napheesa has her offense going like this it’s tough to beat the Minnesota Lynx because she’s just as impressive on the defensive end. The Lynx were clicking on all cylinders early as they were able to get the lead up to 23 points. Sometimes teams get that big of a lead and take the foot off the gas a little bit and that’s exactly what happened in this one with the Lynx. The Phoenix Mercury who have been playing inspired basketball not knowing if this will be Diana Taurisi’s last dance of her own came out motivated in that 2nd half. Diana and Natasha both came out with some fire and were hitting some shots that they didn’t make in the 1st half. Natasha Cloud was playing at a high level as she was able to get to the rim with ease blowing by some Lynx players in the paint. Natasha Cloud finished with 33 points and 10 assists tonight in a stellar Game 1 for the Mercury. The momentum was starting to shift in this game as the Mercury were trying to take the crowd out of this game with the run they were on. It seemed like every time you looked up the Mercury hit a big 3-point shot to inch them closer.
The COTY Coach Reeve was able to make those adjustments as she was able to have multiple defenders running to the shooters but they also made it tough on Brittney Griner in this one as well. The Lynx were able to play through Napheesa Collier in this one as she finished with 38 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists on the night. Collier showcased exactly why she was in the running for the MVP as she was able to put the team on her back on both ends. The Lynx made some key plays down the stretch of Game 1 and it was special to see the play of Courtney Williams as her confidence and swagger were all over this game. Williams was able to set up her team with the playmaking and she was able to find her shot whenever needed for Minnesota. Another player that had playoff experience that gave her all was Kayla McBride as she was able to defend Diana and made some key shots down the stretch to get the Lynx the win. Bridget Carleton hit the shot of the night when the Lynx needed it and she has been special all season long in those moments once inserted into the starting lineup. The Lynx were the aggressive team in Game 1 with a huge edge in free throws but both teams came out with a sense of urgency as we will be in store for a big Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Photo Credit: AP/Matt Krohn
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