I was really in the living room for this one, but, you know, consistency, right? I always feel that when these two teams meet we’re in for a street fight. The games between the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury, regardless of where they play, never lack entertainment. If you’re a Lynx fan, you’re thinking Taurasi, Griner, and now Copper.
If you’re a Mercury fan, you’ve got Kayla McBride, Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith, and Courtney Williams. There is no shortage of energy or the occasional fireworks. This game provided both.
The Lynx got off to a rocky start, which hasn’t happened too often this season. The buzz was certainly around the return of Brittney Griner, who had yet to see the court, and Rebecca Allen, who had missed the previous five games due to concussion protocol.
Having Allen sink the first basket was certainly a boost for the Mercury, who opened the game holding the Lynx scoreless for the first 2:30 before Smith hit a three. The Lynx managed to catch up, but then a cold shooting spell hit the Lynx until McBride hit a three with 3:30 to go in the quarter, which ended at 21-15 Phoenix.
Minnesota Lynx Found Momentum Late in the Game
The second and third quarters saw the Lynx regain some shooting efficiency, outscoring the Mercury 45-33. The Mercury fought back in the fourth, as did the Lynx, but Kahleah Copper, who scored the final 10 points for the Mercury, proved to be too much for the Minnesota Lynx. With the Lynx up 80-78 with five seconds to go, Copper nailed the final three to give the Mercury the win.
Copper was deadly in this game. Leading all scorers with 34 points, she carried the bulk of the weight for the Mercury. Taurasi scored 12 and Griner scored 11 in 21 minutes, being on something of a minutes restriction. Allen, in her return, scored 9 in 27 minutes. For the Lynx, McBride led the way with 25, Collier had a double-double of 20 points and 12 boards, and Smith added 12 points.
Neither team’s bench was much of a factor which, in the case of the Lynx, might have made the difference, But this was a game in which both teams needed their starters to carry the bulk of the minutes. Collier played the entire 40 minutes, McBride 35, and Carleton 33. For Phoenix, Cloud played 34, Copper 32, and Taurasi 31.
Both Teams Kept it Close Throughout
This was a game of runs, although no one ever had a lead of more than 9 points. Overall, neither team shot particularly well, with the Mercury besting the Lynx by only 2.5%. There were equal turnovers at 14 each with the Lynx taking a one-point lead in points off of turnovers, 13-12. With Griner’s return, the Lynx were stymied in the paint, scoring only 18 to Phoenix’s 34. And so it came down to the wire again, and for a second time, the Lynx found themselves on the losing end.
While Griner showed signs of rust, there was also something else missing. Even though Griner had missed the first ten games with a foot injury, some of the fire was missing. I don’t think anyone really knows the depth of what imprisonment did to Brittney except her. The psychological damage may be difficult to quantify, but it was more than apparent that this is not the same Brittney Griner that we’ve seen in the past.
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 8, 2024
Thoughts on Griner and Taurasi
It does indicate how fragile we all are, and however, all of this plays out for Griner is yet to be determined. As For Taurasi, her step is a little slower, her accuracy is a little more up and down, and while the passion is still there and the fire is burning, it just may not be turned all the way up. Some might speculate that this season will be Diana’s last hurrah. She’ll more than likely get one more shot at the Olympics. After that, who knows, but no one should ever count Taurasi out.
I will also go out on something of a limb and say that this may be the end of the line for Griner. It would not surprise me if she walked away after this season. Trauma significantly changes people, and it is possibly, and maybe likely, that playing this season will be enough. This is neither a wish nor a prediction on my part, just an observation.
Final Thoughts
Next up for the Mercury is a game versus the Dallas Wings in Dallas. The Wings will be looking to end their current four-game losing streak, and the Mercury will want to build on this win against the Lynx. Minnesota heads back to Minneapolis to welcome the Seattle Storm, who are on a winning streak of six games.
They are not the same team that Minnesota faced at the beginning of the season. The Minnesota Lynx will need to get back to their tight defense and more accurate offense to secure the win. Both games should provide plenty of excitement. Fortunately, I’ll be back in Section 111, ready to watch an energized Lynx team get back to their winning ways.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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