The Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-84 without Napheesa Collier on Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center. Kahleah Copper scored 30 for Phoenix.
The Minnesota Lynx outscored the Phoenix Mercury 47-39 in the second half to come back for an 88-84 win on Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Natasha Howard scored 14 points with 11 rebounds for Minnesota. Kayla McBride added 14 points, Olivia Miles finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Nia Coffey posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Courtney Williams contributed 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Howard shot 6-of-9 from the field. McBride made 2-of-6 three-pointers and hit all four of her free throws.
The Lynx shot 50% from the field, 36.8% from three-point range, and 17-of-24 (70.8%) from the free-throw line. They got 11 points and 6 rebounds from Emma Cechova off the bench. Minnesota outrebounded Phoenix 43-31 and assisted on 20 of its 32 made field goals. The Lynx improved to 1-1 on the season.
Kahleah Copper scored a game-high 30 points to lead the Mercury, going 9-of-21 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line. DeWanna Bonner added 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists. Natasha Mack finished with 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Phoenix shot 36.6% from the field and 31% from three-point range. The Mercury went 23-of-33 (69.7%) from the free-throw line and recorded 11 steals to Minnesota's 5. Phoenix dropped to 1-2 on the season.
Phoenix led 20-19 after the first quarter and 45-41 at halftime. Minnesota responded with a 27-22 third quarter to take a 68-67 lead and held on with a 20-17 fourth quarter. The teams traded 17 lead changes and were tied 15 times. The Mercury's biggest lead was 8 points; Minnesota led by as many as 5.
The Lynx scored 42 points in the paint to the Mercury's 32. Phoenix dominated fast-break points 17-6 and scored 21 points off 15 Lynx turnovers.
Copper's 30 points came on 21 field-goal attempts. She made 10 of 13 free throws but was held to 2-of-7 from three-point range.
Minnesota was without forward Napheesa Collier (left ankle) and Dorka Juhasz (right foot).
The Mercury were without guard Sami Whitcomb, who underwent left knee arthroscopy.
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