The Phoenix Mercury stunned the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx with a furious comeback to claim an 86-81 victory in Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals. The win secures the Mercury a spot in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.
Alyssa Thomas led the charge with 23 points and 10 assists, while Satou Sabally added 21 points. DeWanna Bonner ignited a 31-13 fourth-quarter run, scoring 11 of her 13 points and all three of her three-pointers in the decisive period.
The Lynx were without star center Napheesa Collier, who injured her left ankle in the closing seconds of Game 3 and watched from the bench in a walking boot. Minnesota’s Kayla McBride scored a playoff career-high 31 points, with 14 coming during a third-quarter rally that gave the Lynx a brief lead. Courtney Williams added 20 points, and Jessica Shepard contributed a playoff career-high 14 points as Collier’s replacement.
Phoenix fell behind early, trailing by 14 points in the first quarter. The Mercury evened the score at 38 by halftime and took their first lead with Kahleah Copper’s three-pointer in the second half. Minnesota briefly regained control with two more McBride three-pointers, taking a 55-45 advantage midway through the third quarter.
The fourth quarter became Phoenix’s defining moment. The Mercury scored 19 of the first 21 points, with Bonner’s second three-pointer giving Phoenix a 72-70 lead with just under four minutes remaining. McBride responded with another three, keeping the Lynx within one, but Bonner’s free throws and Thomas’ driving layup sealed the lead. Natasha Hiedeman’s late three-pointer brought Minnesota within three, but Copper’s free throws closed the scoring at 86-81.
The Mercury had already outscored the Lynx 21-9 in the fourth quarter of Game 3, signaling their ability to finish strong under pressure. Sabally has consistently delivered in the final three games of the series, scoring 24, 23, and 21 points in each contest.
Minnesota played under the guidance of associate head coach Eric Thibault, as head coach Cheryl Reeve served a one-game suspension for conduct and comments toward officials during Game 3.
The WNBA Finals will begin Friday, with the first two games at the higher seed’s venue. The Mercury, seeded fourth, will face the winner of the second-seeded Las Vegas Aces and sixth-seeded Indiana Fever series, which goes to Game 5 on Tuesday.
The 2025 WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series for the first time in league history. Phoenix last won the championship in 2014. With Thomas two rebounds shy of her second playoff triple-double, the Mercury demonstrated that their depth, resilience, and clutch shooting can carry them through high-pressure situations.
Phoenix’s ability to overcome a 13-point deficit in the final period and consistently finish strong highlights their readiness for the Finals. The combination of Thomas’ playmaking, Bonner’s fourth-quarter scoring, and Sabally’s steady performance has made the Mercury a formidable contender.
