Smith 1 Whitcomb 0: Lynx take first game of semis

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Australian Alanna Smith's Minnesota Lynx closed out Game 1 of the WNBA semi-finals with a 14-2 run to beat WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury 82-69 on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Minnesota.

Co-Defensive Player of the Year Smith played 26 minutes but coach Cheryl Reeve benched her midway through the fourth quarter after giving up two crucial offensive rebounds on consecutive plays. Minnesota closed the game on a 14-2 run, 12-0 in a 3:39 stretch from the five minute mark.

Whitcomb, 27, had her hands full down the stretch trying to stop Minnesota guard Courtney Williams. The purple-haired Williams was elite, taking over in the clutch. She finished with 22 points on 11-from-19 from the field and crucially, turned over Whitcomb at the top of the key just under two minutes left.

The Lynx moved to 10-0 all time against Phoenix at home in the playoffs.

Whitcomb finished 11 points, three rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes while Smith finished with four points, six rebounds, three assists and a block.

Key Details

• Result: Minnesota Lynx 82 def. Phoenix Mercury 69
• When: September 22, 2025
• Where: Target Center, Minneapolis
• Series: Minnesota 1 | Phoenix 0

By the Numbers

• Courtney Williams (Minnesota) starred with 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and five steals in 33 minutes.
• Kahleah Copper (Phoenix) scored 22 points, and had two rebounds and one assist in 37 minutes.

What Happened

Phoenix controlled the early stages, taking a 24-22 lead after the first quarter behind Copper's efficient shooting. The Mercury extended their advantage in the second period, outscoring the Lynx 23-18 to build a 47-40 halftime lead. Alyssa Thomas and Copper combined for 26 first-half points to give Phoenix the upper hand.

The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime as Minnesota's defence tightened. The Lynx held the Mercury to just 12 points in the third quarter while scoring 19 themselves, cutting the deficit to 59-59 heading into the final period. Courtney Williams sparked the comeback with her stellar two-way play.

Minnesota completely dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Phoenix 23-10 to secure the 13-point victory. Williams orchestrated the offence perfectly down the stretch, while Kayla McBride hit clutch shots from beyond the arc. The Lynx closed the game on a 15-4 run over the final six minutes to put it away.

Courtney Williams delivered an outstanding all-around performance for Minnesota with 23 points on 11-from-19 shooting, adding eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Her ability to create for herself and teammates while disrupting Phoenix's offensive flow proved decisive. Kayla McBride added 21 points including four three-pointers, while Napheesa Collier contributed 18 points and nine rebounds.

For Phoenix, Kahleah Copper led the way with 22 points but managed just four in the second half as Minnesota's defensive adjustments limited her effectiveness. Alyssa Thomas added 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a valiant effort, but received little support from her teammates. The Mercury's offence dried up completely in the second half, managing just 22 points after the break.

The contrasting shooting efficiency told the story, with Minnesota connecting at 44.2 percent from the field compared to Phoenix's 41.3 percent. The Lynx particularly dominated from three-point range, hitting nine triples to Phoenix's three. Minnesota's 42-35 rebounding advantage and seven steals also proved crucial in securing the home victory.