{"id":152402,"date":"2025-09-18T09:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/152402\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T09:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:56:09","slug":"wnba-playoffs-minnesota-lynx-advance-to-semifinals-mercury-level-first-round-series-against-liberty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/152402\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA Playoffs: Minnesota Lynx advance to semifinals, Mercury level first-round series against Liberty"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n The Minnesota Lynx advanced to the semifinals of the WNBA Playoffs after defeating the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 in Game 2 of their first round series on Thursday.\n <\/p>\n

\n Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-foot shot with 1:24 left to go in the fourth quarter to cap off a spirited comeback from the top-seeded Lynx in California.\n <\/p>\n

\n Minnesota had trailed by 17 points in the third quarter but, through a combination of tough shot-making and spirited defense, was able to claw its way back into the game<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Collier\u2019s 24 points were key in the Lynx\u2019s one-point victory in front of a raucous, sellout home crowd for the Valkyries as Minnesota sealed the best-of-three series triumph, 2-0.\n <\/p>\n

\n After the game, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve credited Golden State with making Game 2 a tough encounter, highlighting the fevered atmosphere inside Chase Center, but also acknowledged her team\u2019s resilience for not getting overawed by the occasion.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI mean I think you have to credit Golden State. I think they came with the appropriate bounce in their step. You can know it as the opposing team,\u201d Reeve told reporters after the game. \u201cYou know exactly what you\u2019re walking into. Sometimes, you can\u2019t do anything about it. And I thought that was the case.\n <\/p>\n

\"Lynx<\/p>\n

\n \u201cI asked them not to quit. I asked them to keep doing what we were doing, get after it. I had mentioned to (Bridget Carleton) to start the third quarter exactly what we needed, more of an assassin mentality because Golden State has assassin mentalities. They\u2019re going to shoot whether we\u2019re on them or not.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n The Lynx will face either the Phoenix Mercury or the New York Liberty in the semifinals as they seek to bounce back from losing to the Liberty<\/a> in the WNBA Finals last season.\n <\/p>\n

\n Despite the defeat, it was an overwhelmingly successful debut season for the Valkyries as a franchise.\n <\/p>\n

\n They were the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their debut campaign, and head coach Natalie Nakase was recognized pre-game<\/a> as the WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 23-21 record.\n <\/p>\n

\n In Thursday\u2019s earlier game, Phoenix leveled its first-round playoff series with the Liberty after dominating in Game 2, 86-60.\n <\/p>\n

\n Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each scored 15 points as the No. 4 seeded Mercury ensured the best-of-three series will go to a decisive Game 3.\n <\/p>\n

\n It was a big bounce-back game for Sabally personally, who had shot a career-worst 2-of-17 in Game 1. A 15-0 run from the Mercury in the second quarter put them in the driving seat and although the defending champion Liberty attempted a comeback, it was not enough.\n <\/p>\n

\"Sabally<\/p>\n

\n Thursday\u2019s performance was an all-around team display from Phoenix, with Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner both adding 14 points.\n <\/p>\n

\n New York was handed a big boost before the game with Breanna Stewart able to suit up despite spraining her MCL in Game 1. However, the two-time WNBA MVP looked hampered by the injury, scoring just six points in 20 minutes on the court.\n <\/p>\n

\n Game 3 will be played in Phoenix on Friday.\n <\/p>\n