A big night for the Minnesota Lynx. The team won their playoff opener Sunday night against the Phoenix Mercury at the Target Center 102-95. The Lynx were led by 38 points from Napheesa Collier.
The best-of-three series continues with Game 2 Wednesday night in Minneapolis.
"We were in a series last year where we were desperate as the road team to try to get the game back to our place," says Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. "So now, we're on the other side of it so we understand the level of desperation. We had gotten beat by 30 out in Connecticut and, you know, we came back in a game two. We were a completely different team. You know, you better bring it."
Reeve says being at home can make a huge difference
"We have such a great fan base," she says. "Our business staff does a great job and kind of dressing the house, you know, getting it like it looks and fans do a great job getting it to sound like it sounds. I think it's really fun for our players."
Mayor Jacob Frey joined city street crews Wednesday morning in painting streets near Target Center in Lynx logos to celebrate their success.
In what is a bit of an oddity in the WNBA, if the series goes to Game 3, it would be Friday night in Phoenix, giving the lower-seeded Mercury a series-deciding home-court advantage.
GAME PREVIEW
Phoenix Mercury (19-21, 10-10 Western Conference) at Minnesota Lynx (30-10, 14-6 Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Lynx -8.5; over/under is 160.5
WNBA PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Lynx lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Lynx host the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the WNBA playoffs with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Lynx won the last matchup 102-95 on Sept. 22 led by 38 points from Napheesa Collier, while Natasha Cloud scored 33 points for the Mercury.
The Lynx’s record in Western Conference play is 14-6. Minnesota ranks second in the WNBA giving up 75.6 points per game while holding opponents to 41.0% shooting.
The Mercury are 10-10 in Western Conference play. Phoenix gives up 84.8 points to opponents while being outscored by 3.3 points per game.
Minnesota’s average of 9.5 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.1 more made shots on average than the 9.4 per game Phoenix allows. Phoenix averages 8.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.7 more made shots on average than the 6.8 per game Minnesota gives up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collier is scoring 20.4 points per game with 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Lynx.
Brittney Griner is averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Mercury.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lynx: 8-2, averaging 81.0 points, 33.3 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.5 points per game.
Mercury: 3-7, averaging 78.4 points, 31.3 rebounds, 20.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 88.0 points.
INJURIES: Lynx: None listed.
Mercury: Charisma Osborne: out (leg), Rebecca Allen: out (hamstring).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.