Game 2 between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx turned into one of the most dramatic contests of the postseason. Minnesota looked firmly in control early, building a 20‑point lead behind Napheesa Collier’s scoring and Kayla McBride’s perimeter shooting.<\/p>
The Lynx defense forced Phoenix into rushed possessions, and by halftime it felt like the top seed was on its way to a commanding 2‑0 series lead. But the Mercury refused to give-up, leaning on their depth and defensive pressure to claw back into the game.<\/p>
The turning point came in the third quarter when Phoenix Mercury’s bench, led by Kathryn Westbeld and Sami Whitcomb, swung the momentum. Westbeld’s steals and transition buckets energized the team, while Whitcomb’s clutch three‑pointer at the end of regulation forced overtime.<\/p>
Satou Sabally carried the scoring load with 24 points, and Alyssa Thomas added a double‑double, keeping the Mercury steady as Kahleah Copper battled through an ankle scare. In overtime, Phoenix’s ball movement and timely shooting outpaced a Minnesota Lynx squad that suddenly looked rattled, missing their first five shots of the extra period.<\/p>