Mercury storm back from 20-point deficit, stun Lynx in overtime thriller

Satou Sabally scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Phoenix Mercury stormed back from a 20-point deficit to stun the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime on Tuesday night in Minneapolis, leveling their WNBA semifinal series at 1-1. Alyssa Thomas nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, while Sami Whitcomb delivered the game’s biggest shot.



With Phoenix trailing 79-76 in the final seconds of regulation, Whitcomb buried a 3-pointer from the left wing with 4.3 seconds left to force overtime. Napheesa Collier’s jumper at the buzzer rimmed out, sending the game into an extra period.



Phoenix seized its first lead since the opening quarter when Thomas sank a jumper early in overtime. Moments later, Kahleah Copper’s 3-pointer stretched the margin to 85-79 with under two minutes remaining, capping the Mercury’s dramatic rally.


The comeback looked improbable after Collier drilled a 3-pointer to put Minnesota ahead 59-39 with 5:45 left in the third quarter. Sabally answered immediately with a deep 3-pointer, igniting a surge that saw Phoenix outscore the Lynx 57-35 across the second half and overtime.

Minnesota still had chances to close it out late in regulation. Courtney Williams scored on a driving layup for a 77-72 lead with under two minutes to go, but Phoenix clawed back. Sabally converted a putback to cut the deficit to three, and Thomas followed with a pull-up jumper to make it 77-76. Williams’ two free throws with 20.7 seconds left set up Whitcomb’s clutch shot that forced OT.


Collier led Minnesota with 24 points on 10-for-22 shooting. Williams added 20 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, while Kayla McBride chipped in 21 and Alanna Smith contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Game 3 is set for Friday night in Phoenix.