When Cheryl Reeve came up for the first time to lock horns against the Phoenix Mercury this season, she made just one comment: “It’s weird, being here in Phoenix,” she said, reflecting on coaching against the team without its iconic star Diana Taurasi, who retired after a legendary 20-year career. But the admiration for Taurasi didn’t mean she would go easy on the Phoenix. No sir!
She went on to hand the Mercury a crushing 88–65 loss, extending Minnesota’s winning streak at the time, which continued all the way through game 10. And now, once again, the Lynx are coming back to haunt their opponents. But this time, they’re not exactly the invincible Lynx anymore.
Minnesota has since suffered losses, first to the Washington Mystics, then to the Seattle Storm. And while their loss to the Indiana Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup final doesn’t count toward their regular-season record, it still stung. But yes, a 17–2 record is nothing to scoff at. But now, Phoenix is second-best in the league, with a 13-6 record, and is eyeing a chance to flip the narrative. So, can this Taurasi-less Mercury squad serve Minnesota a rare taste of defeat? Let’s find out
Injury Report: Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury
As the Minnesota Lynx prepare to face the Phoenix Mercury, both teams are navigating significant injury challenges that could shape the outcome of this high-stakes matchup.
Mercury injury update
The Mercury will be entering this contest shorthanded, with several key players sidelined:
Kahleah Copper (Right Hamstring Strain)
The Mercury’s leading scorer is officially ruled out after suffering a right hamstring strain during her 33-point performance in a recent loss to Dallas. Although there was initial hope she might return for the Lynx game, she remains unavailable due to not being fully recovered.
Satou Sabally (Right Leg)
Sabally has returned to limited practice sessions but continues to wear a boot on her right leg. Head coach Nate Tibbetts has listed her as day-to-day, and her availability remains uncertain.
Lexi Held (Pneumothorax Injury)
Held is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a pneumothorax. The Mercury is closely monitoring her recovery to prevent further complications. She has already missed multiple games.
Lynx injury update
The Lynx are coming into the game at almost full strength:
Karlie Samuelson (Foot Surgery)
Samuelson has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season following foot surgery. Her absence affects the Lynx’s spacing and three-point shooting off the bench.
But, despite these setbacks, the Mercury pulled off a strong win against the Dallas Wings, led by Sami Whitcomb, who emerged with a career-high 36 points, including seven made threes, with 29 of those points scored in the first half. And yes, she wasn’t alone as Alyssa Thomas followed her up with her first triple-double of the season (15 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds), anchoring both ends of the court. So, what to expect?
Projected starting lineup
Here’s the starting lineup for Mercury and Lynx!
Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier
Kayla McBride
Courtney Williams
Alanna Smith
Natisha Hiedeman
Pheonix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas
Kathryn Westbeld
Natasha Mack
Sami Whitcomb
Monique Akoa Makani
Prediction: Can Napheesa Collier and Co. get their 18th win of the season?
Well, Minnesota will be entering this game firing on all cylinders, putting up a staggering 85.2 points per game this season, which is exactly 5.3 more than the 79.9 points the Mercury allow. And that scoring punch has already translated into wins, as the Lynx hold a dominant 14-1 record when they eclipse that 79.9 mark.
Jun 27, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) shoots from the free throw line against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Lately, they’ve kicked it up a notch, averaging 85.9 points over their last 10 games while continuing to hold opponents to just 74.4, only a slight uptick from their season-long defensive average of 74.1. And not just that, the Lynx, despite a small dip in three-point efficiency (34.1% vs. 35.6%), remain a balanced and lethal force on both ends of the floor.
But yes, don’t count out the Mercury, as they’ve also been scorching hot offensively in recent weeks, averaging 90.3 points across their last 10 games, nearly six points higher than their season average. They’ve been lighting it up from deep, too, hitting 11.4 threes per game at a blistering 38.1% clip during that span. And when they score more than Minnesota’s defensive average of 74.1, they’ve gone 12-3. So while the numbers lean toward a Minnesota win—as even ESPN gave them a 62.5% chance to win due to their consistency and top-tier defense—the Mercury’s explosive offense keeps this anything but a sure thing. So, this has all the makings of an epic clash! Just grab a bowl of popcorn and a can of sod, seat on your most comfortable sofa, and enjoy!!
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