Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, works around Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Napheesa Collier scores 38 as Lynx fend off Mercury 102-95 in playoff opener
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored a playoff career-high 38 points and the Minnesota Lynx blew a 23-point lead before rallying late to beat the Phoenix Mercury 102-95 on Sunday in Game 1 of a best-of-three series.
Minnesota, the Western Conference champions and No. 2 seed, turned a 32-19 first-quarter lead into a 50-27 advantage with 5:35 left before halftime. Phoenix whittled nine points off its deficit, trailing 56-42 at intermission, and closed within 77-69 heading to the fourth quarter.
Kahleah Copper scored five points in a 10-2 run and her 3-pointer followed by two free throws by Brittney Griner gave seventh-seeded Phoenix its first lead since scoring the first four points of the game. Natasha Cloud’s layup put the Mercury on top 92-91 with 2:06 left to play, but Myisha Hines-Allen answered with a layup and Bridget Carleton hit a 3-pointer in a 9-0 spurt to pull out the victory.
Collier sank 11 of 19 shots from the floor with three 3-pointers and 13 of 14 free throws for Minnesota. She added six rebounds and four assists. Kayla McBride hit three 3-pointers and all seven of her foul shots, scoring 20. Carleton had 12 points, six boards and four assists, and Hines-Allen added 10 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Cloud had 33 points, matching her postseason high, and 10 assists to lead Phoenix. Diana Taurasi made half of her 10 3-point attempts and scored 21. Copper added 16 points, and Griner finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Minnesota Lynx forward Myisha Hines-Allen (22) is fouled by Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Collier finished four points shy of Breanna Stewart’s playoff-record 42-point effort. Stewart scored 42 points while playing for the Seattle Storm in a 97-92 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 of a Western Conference semifinal in 2022.
Minnesota won three of four games — all by double digits — against Phoenix during the regular season. The Mercury beat the visiting Lynx 81-80 for their lone victory.
The Lynx will host Game 2 at the Target Center on Wednesday. Phoenix would host Game 3 on Friday, if necessary.
Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton, right, works around Phoenix Mercury forward Monique Billings, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman, right, works around Phoenix Mercury guard Celeste Taylor, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve reacts during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts calls a play during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) reacts after being charged with a foul against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, front right, shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, right, shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, left, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith celebrates after her 3-point basket against the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton celebrates her 3-point basket against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, middle works toward the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, left, and guard Courtney Williams, right, defend during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, right, celebrates with forward Napheesa Collier, middle, and forward Bridget Carleton, left, during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, right, works around Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, right, shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier defends during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, left, works toward the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton defends during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi reacts to a call during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, right, shoots as Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman defends during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Minnesota Lynx fans wave towels during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, left, steals the ball from Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, right, shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith defends during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
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