Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) dribbles past Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) celebrates her score against Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams crashes into the crowd after trying to save a loose ball from going out of bounds during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game against the Phoenix Mercury Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve reacts to getting a technical foul by an official during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game against the Phoenix Mercury Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, left, battles with Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper for a loose ball during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Sabally’s 23 points lead Mercury over Lynx 84-76 in Game 3 of WNBA semifinals
PHOENIX (AP) — Satou Sabally scored 23 points — including 15 in a stellar fourth quarter — and the Phoenix Mercury beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 84-76 in Game 3 on Friday night to take control of their WNBA playoff semifinals series.
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) dribbles past Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX (AP) — Satou Sabally scored 23 points — including 15 in a stellar fourth quarter — and the Phoenix Mercury beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 84-76 in Game 3 on Friday night to take control of their WNBA playoff semifinals series.
The Mercury have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and can reach the Finals on Sunday with a win in Game 4 in Phoenix.
Sabally hit a 3-pointer to give the Mercury a 78-76 lead with 3:05 remaining and added two free throws with 2:01 left to push the advantage to 80-76. Alyssa Thomas had a steal and layup with 21.8 seconds left that sealed the win.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
A furious Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected following the layup after getting her second technical foul.
Napheesa Collier also got hurt on the play, rolling her ankle. She had to be helped to the locker room.
Thomas and Kahleah Copper both scored 21 points, highlighting a balanced Mercury offense. It was a tight game throughout with 15 lead changes.
Minnesota was led by Natisha Hiedeman’s 19 points off the bench. Collier added 17 points on 8 of 15 shooting while Courtney Williams added 14.
Minnesota trailed by four at halftime but rallied for a 67-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-8 Heideman gave the Lynx a big boost in the final five minutes of the third, scoring eight points.
The Mercury bounced back from an early deficit, shooting 54.3 % from the field in the first half to take a 48-44 halftime lead. Copper had 17 points before the break on 8 of 9 shooting while Thomas added 11 points and 5 rebounds. Minnesota was led by Collier’s 13 points.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The Mercury were riding high coming into Game 3 after a 20-point comeback win in Tuesday’s Game 2 that evened the series. It was tied for the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation