Mercury overcome 13-point deficit, beat Lynx 86-81 to reach WNBA Finals

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The Phoenix Mercury staged a remarkable comeback in Game 4 on Sunday night, overcoming a 13-point deficit in the final period to beat the short-handed Minnesota Lynx 86-81. This victory secured their spot in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021, where they will face the winner of the Indiana-Las Vegas series.

Alyssa Thomas led the charge for the Mercury with 23 points, while DeWanna Bonner stepped up with crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Minnesota, playing without head coach Cheryl Reeve and All-Star guard Napheesa Collier, put up a tough fight but ultimately fell short against a determined Phoenix team.

The Mercury’s resilience was on full display as they clawed their way back from a double-digit deficit, with Bonner’s clutch shooting proving to be the difference maker down the stretch. Phoenix’s defense tightened up in the final quarter, holding off Minnesota’s late surge to secure the victory.

With this win, the Mercury will make their first Finals appearance in four years, aiming to capture their first championship since 2014. The team’s depth and tenacity were on full display in this hard-fought series, and they will look to carry that momentum into the championship round.

Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 31 points, showcasing her scoring prowess from beyond the arc. Courtney Williams added 20 points for Minnesota, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Phoenix’s late-game heroics.

The game was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish, with both teams trading blows and momentum swings throughout. Phoenix’s ability to stay composed under pressure and execute in critical moments proved to be the deciding factor in the end.

As the Mercury gear up for the Finals, they will look to build on this gritty performance and continue their quest for WNBA glory. Fans can expect an exciting showdown in the championship series as Phoenix aims to etch their name in the history books once again.

[AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball]