MINNEAPOLIS — Kayla McBride scored 23 issues, Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhasz added double-doubles and the Minnesota Lynx clinched a place within the playoffs via handing Phoenix its 8th directly loss with an 86-73 victory over the Mercury on Sunday.
The Lynx are lately the Negative. 5 seed and feature an outdoor shot to catch the Dallas Wings and earn the home-court merit within the first spherical.
Minnesota began the season 0-6 however have shyed away from lacking the playoffs for the second one directly season. The Lynx are handiest the second one staff ever to lose a minimum of its first six video games and nonetheless put together the postseason. Los Angeles additionally did it in 2015 next initiation 0-7.
McBride sank 9 of 20 pictures with two 3-pointers for Minnesota (19-19). Collier completed with 22 issues, 16 rebounds and 5 assists for her eleventh double-double of the season. Juhász pitched in with 10 issues and 12 forums.
Moriah Jefferson totaled a career-high 32 issues for Phoenix (9-28). Brittney Griner added 17 issues and 10 rebounds.
Jefferson crash a shot and the Mercury made 5 of 6 independent throws to akin out the primary quarter on a 7-0 run for a 19-18 govern.
Minnesota fell in the back of via 8 early in the second one length. Rachel Banham‘s four-point play games with 45 seconds left gave the Lynx a 41-39 govern prior to Sug Sutton made a layup to drag the Mercury even at halftime.
McBride had 9 issues in a pivotal 3rd quarter, Collier scored 8 and the Lynx took a commanding 69-54 govern into the overall length.
Phoenix falls to 1-18 at the highway this season.
The Related Press contributed to this tale.
