Lynx vs Mercury Preview: Lynx Hold Match Point Aiming for Advancement, Can the Mercury Turn the Tables in a Do-or-Die Situation?

At 9:30 AM on September 26, Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs will see the Minnesota Lynx host the Phoenix Mercury once again.

The Lynx and the Mercury met in the first round of the playoffs. During the regular season, the Lynx ranked 2nd, while the Mercury ranked 7th, with the Lynx winning 11 more games than the Mercury. The first game was full of twists and turns, with the Lynx leading by as much as 20 points in the first half. The Mercury then staged a fierce comeback, even taking the lead in the final quarter. Both teams fought until the very end, but the Lynx seized the opportunity and ultimately won 102-95, securing their first victory of the playoffs, delivering an insane offensive showdown.

The Lynx performed excellently during the regular season, with a record of 30 wins and 10 losses, second only to the Liberty. The Lynx’s offense and defense are relatively balanced, averaging 82 points per game (6th in the league) and conceding only 75.6 points (2nd in the league), with a net score of 6.4 points (3rd in the league). The Lynx’s home court record is impressive, with 16 wins out of 20 games, making it one of the strongest home courts in the league.

Napheesa Collier is the Lynx’s absolute core, averaging 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game during the regular season, all ranking among the top in the league. In the first playoff game, Collier scored 38 points, six rebounds, and four assists, saving the Lynx. McBride is an excellent outside shooter, averaging 15 points and 3.2 assists per game. She also scored 20 points in the first playoff game. Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith also average double-digit scores. Besides these four, Carlton, Allen, Sydeman, Juhás, and Zandulasyi, among others, also possess considerable strength, giving the Lynx the best bench depth in the league.

The Mercury’s regular season record was only 19 wins and 21 losses, with a win rate below 50%. The Mercury’s lineup is seriously aging, and the team’s defensive enthusiasm is poor, conceding an average of 84.8 points per game, ranking fourth from the bottom in the league. The Mercury’s scoring average of 81.5 points ranks seventh in the league, which is also quite ordinary. The Mercury’s lineup is actually quite luxurious, boasting three current members of the U.S. women’s national basketball team. Cooper is the team’s top scorer, averaging 21.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Griner, known as the female monster, averages 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds. Taurasi averages 14.9 points, while Craig averages 11.5 points and 6.9 assists. The team’s offense mainly relies on these four players, but all four are over 30 years old, and the team’s bench depth is average.

In the first playoff game, Craig exploded with a super performance, hitting 14 of 23 shots for a team-high 33 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, almost leading the team to victory away from home. Veteran Taurasi scored 21 points, but Griner and Cooper had mediocre efficiency. Cooper hit 6 of 15 shots for 16 points, while Griner hit only 3 of 10 for 10 points. The Mercury’s bench players combined for only 7 points, revealing a clear weakness.

Considering the overall performance and lineup depth this season, the Lynx have a fairly obvious advantage. However, the Mercury have several superstar players, and when they explode, opponents often find them hard to stop. With their backs against the wall, the Mercury might unleash a different level of fighting spirit.

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