The Minnesota Lynx (30-10) have flown below the radar all yr regardless of an outstanding season, they usually’ll host the flailing Phoenix Mercury (19-21) on Sunday. It may very well be one of many final instances we ever see Diana Taurasi play, and it may be the start of a legendary postseason run for Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and the remainder of the squa.
This #2 vs #7 matchup doesn’t appear significantly ripe for an upset, however let’s dive into the keys for each groups regardless:
Lynx-Mercury Playoff Schedule:
Sport 1 will probably be in Minnesota on Sunday, September twenty second at 5pm ET (on ESPN)
Sport 2 will probably be in Minnesota on Wednesday, September twenty fifth at 9:30pm ET (on ESPN)
Sport 3, if obligatory, will probably be on Phoenix on Friday, September twenty seventh, time TBD (on ESPN2)
Common season sequence: Minnesota received 3-1
Notable Gamers:
Lynx: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith
Mercury: Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud
Prediction: Lynx in two.
This sequence has the potential to be essentially the most lopsided first-round sequence of the pack. The Lynx have been the league’s finest crew because the Olympic break, going 13-2, whereas the Mercury have been one of many worst, amassing a 6-9 document. Something can occur in a three-game sequence, however these are two groups heading in distinctly reverse instructions.
Napheesa Collier is central to every part Minnesota does, and he or she’s put collectively the very best season of her profession (and an plain MVP-caliber marketing campaign). Collier averaged 20.4 factors, 9.7 rebounds, and three.4 assists in 34.7 minutes per recreation, whereas additionally making a robust case for Defensive Participant of the Yr.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25632899/2170593209.jpg)
Picture by Chris Coduto/Getty Pictures
However, what makes Minnesota so nice is that it’s not simply Collier main the cost. Kayla McBride has been essential as a spacer and a scorer, solidifying herself as one of many league’s finest three-point shooters. Courtney Williams has been one of the underrated playmakers within the league. Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton are each having seasons worthy of the Most Improved Participant award. Cheryl Reeve has maximized this roster, and every part appears to be clicking heading into the postseason.
On the Mercury facet, this may very well be Diana Taurasi’s ultimate week {of professional} basketball, and that’s been an enormous headline headline this season (and rightfully so). The fact is that Taurasi has really been stable this yr regardless of clearly not being in her prime, however the Mercury haven’t been in a position to put the items collectively.
Sophie Cunningham has emerged as a locker room chief and a Sixth Participant of the Yr candidate. Brittney Griner has had an incredible particular person season lower than two years faraway from Russian imprisonment, and Natasha Cloud has excelled on each ends — however issues simply haven’t meshed the way in which the entrance workplace hoped.
Coming into the primary spherical of the postseason, the disparity between Minnesota and Phoenix is plain — Minnesota has had the league’s second-best defensive score this yr (94.8) whereas Phoenix has the fourth-worst (105.4). Phoenix has additionally been the league’s second-worst rebounding crew this yr, which has been certainly one of many components which have contributed to stretches of shedding basketball. The Mercury might want to flip a change for an upset, and after taking part in so inconsistently this common season, that will probably be robust to do.
Key Query: Can Kahleah Copper take over?
Kahleah Copper began the yr on a tear, and was even within the MVP dialog within the early days. She has cooled off as of late, however at all times has the potential to be the very best participant on the ground, as she confirmed within the 2021 Finals when the led the Chicago Sky to a WNBA championship.
The Mercury are going to should play loads higher than they’ve performed because the break if they’re to actually problem the Lynx, and Copper goes to should be her very best self to present them an opportunity.
