News Summary
The Phoenix Mercury are battling the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA playoffs, aiming for championship success. Despite a strong first half, they lost Game 1 of the semifinals, 82-69, with significant contributions from both teams. The franchise, known for its historic rivalry with the now-defunct Charlotte Sting, looks to reclaim its title as they head into Game 2 of the series, determined to turn things around.
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury, one of the original eight teams in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), are currently in pursuit of championship glory as they compete in the playoffs. The Mercury are facing the Minnesota Lynx in a best-of-five semifinal series, aiming to secure another title for the storied franchise.
In the current season’s Game 1 of the semifinals, the Lynx overcame the Mercury with a score of 82-69 after rallying back from a seven-point halftime deficit. Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride led the Lynx offensively, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively. For the Mercury, Kahleah Copper was the standout scorer, contributing 22 points while teammate Satou Sabally managed only 10 points. The Mercury had a strong first half, scoring 42 points in the paint, but their performance significantly dropped in the second half where they could only muster seven points in the paint.
The Mercury earned their spot in the semifinals after defeating the New York Liberty 79-73 in the previous round. In that game, Alyssa Thomas recorded an impressive triple-double, marking her ninth of the season.
The Phoenix Mercury’s rivalry with the now-defunct Charlotte Sting spans back to their respective inaugural seasons in 1997. The Sting, which had a record of 15-13 during their first season, also made the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Houston Comets, who captured the league’s first championship. The Mercury, on the other hand, made the playoffs in their inaugural season but lost to the New York Liberty 59-41.
Throughout the 1997 season, the Mercury and Sting faced each other multiple times. In their first encounter, the Mercury triumphed 76-59, led by Bridget Pettis, who scored 17 points and was also credited as the first Mercury player to score in franchise history. Pettis finished that game with three assists, three rebounds, and a block. Toni Foster also contributed significantly, adding 14 points along with eight rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block.
Later in the same season, the Sting managed to defeat the Mercury 68-67, with Jennifer Gillom leading the charge with 16 points, while Michele Timms added 15 points. However, the Mercury sought revenge in a later match, winning decisively 78-63. Overall, the teams faced each other 19 times, with the Mercury winning 11 games compared to the Sting’s eight victories.
Despite the competitive nature of their rivalry, the Charlotte Sting folded after the 2006 season, finishing with a record of 11-23. The Mercury also have a winning record against another former team, the Sacramento Monarchs, who ceased operations in 2009.
As the Mercury continue their playoff journey, the franchise looks to solidify its legacy in women’s basketball. The determined team will face the Lynx again in Game 2, hoping to turn the series around and move closer to another championship title.
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Additional Resources
- WNBA Game: PHX vs MIN
- Star Tribune: Lynx vs Mercury Semifinals Game 1
- Arizona Sports: Lynx/Mercury News
- ESPN: Liberty vs Mercury Game
- Wikipedia: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
