Phoenix Mercury Complete Amazing Comeback to Beat Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in Overtime

The Phoenix Mercury delivered one of the most memorable comebacks in WNBA playoff history Tuesday night, erasing a 20-point deficit to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime at Target Center. The stunning comeback victory ties the semifinal series at 1-1 and sends the series back to Phoenix for Game 3. The series is a best of five. 

Down 77-72 with 50 seconds left in regulation, it seemed like the Mercury were headed to a disastrous 0-2 WNBA Semifinals Playoff hole. But Sami Whitcomb happened, and her three-pointer with 3.4 seconds left capped off the furious and historic Mercury comeback to tie the score at the end of regulation. 

Mercury Forward Sabally Owned the Fourth Quarter 

The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Satou Sabally took control. She dropped 11 points in the period, outscoring Minnesota’s starting lineup during key stretches. Her three 3-pointers and an incredible and-one play cut the Lynx’s once-commanding lead to single digits, energizing her team and completely changing the game’s momentum. Sabally’s aggressive drives and timely shooting proved critical when Phoenix needed a spark.

Alyssa Thomas was the other major piece of the puzzle to lead the Mercury, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. Her sharp court vision created open looks for her teammates throughout the game, and her leadership was on full display during the comeback.  

Minnesota’s Depth Issues Cost Them

One of the biggest factors in Phoenix’s comeback was Minnesota’s lack of depth. While Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams carried the scoring load, the Lynx’s bench was outscored 25-3. As the game wore on, Minnesota’s starters showed signs of fatigue, which became a major disadvantage in such a tightly contested playoff battle.

In overtime, Phoenix’s momentum carried them through. Kahleah Copper hit a big 3-pointer early in the period to give the Mercury a lead they never gave up. The team outscored Minnesota 10-4 in the extra five minutes, with their fresher legs and deeper bench making all the difference.

Key Performances

• Mercury – Satou Sabally: Sabally finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, and five 3-pointers, leading the charge with her all-around game.
• Mercury – Alyssa Thomas: Just shy of a triple-double, Thomas contributed 19 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds while orchestrating the Mercury’s offense.
• Lynx – Napheesa Collier: Despite the loss, Collier celebrated her 29th birthday with an impressive 24 points and six rebounds, battling Sabally all night.
• Lynx – Kayla McBride: McBride added 21 points on efficient shooting, including four 3-pointers that kept Minnesota in control for much of the game.

The series now moves to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday, where the Mercury will look to build on their incredible comeback and capitalize on their home-court advantage.