MINNEAPOLIS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Napheesa Collier shined with a playoff career-high 38 points as the Minnesota Lynx survived a late-game scare, rallying to defeat the Phoenix Mercury 102-95 in Game 1 of their best-of-three series. The Lynx, No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, had a commanding 23-point lead early on, but Phoenix clawed back in the second half, even taking a brief 92-91 lead with 2:06 remaining.
Minnesota responded with a 9-0 run led by Myisha Hines-Allen and Bridget Carleton, securing the victory. Collier added six rebounds and four assists to her impressive performance, while Kayla McBride contributed 20 points, and Carleton had 12. Natasha Cloud led Phoenix with 33 points and 10 assists.