MINNESOTA LYNX (6-0) 74, PHOENIX MERCURY (4-2) 71
GAME #6
PHX ARENA — FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025
First Quarter
• Kayla McBride opened the game with her 300th three-point basket as a Lynx within the first 15 seconds of play
• McBride scored her 1000th career free throw at 6:58, followed by her 2000th point as a Lynx from another trip to the charity stripe at 0:12
• A block from Natisha Hiedeman closed out the first quarter with a 20-17 Lynx lead
• The Lynx held a 10-5 rebounding advantage in the first quarter, including a 4-1 edge on the offensive glass
Second Quarter
• Minnesota didn’t score a basket for nearly four minutes until Bridget Carleton finished off a pass from Courtney Williams in the paint, bringing the Lynx lead to 23-19
• Kayla McBride beat the buzzer and drained a three-pointer with 0:01.6 left in the half. McBride posted 17 points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3PM, 9-9 FT) in the first half, with 2 boards
• The Lynx shot a season-low 21.4 percent from the three-point line in the first half, connecting on 3 of 14 attempts, while the Mercury also struggled from beyond the arc shooting 16.7% (2-12 3PM)
• The Mercury outscored the Lynx in points in the paint, fast break points and bench scoring during the first half
Third Quarter
• A corner three from Bridget Carleton off an assist from Kayla McBride put Minnesota within three at 46-49
• Alanna Smith scored her 1000th career point on a layup off an assist from Jessica Shepard at the 1:37 mark
• Phoenix took their largest lead of the game at the 2:25 mark of the third quarter, going up 55-48
• Natisha Hiedeman recorded her second block of the game in the third quarter, tying her career high of 2 blocks in a single game
Fourth Quarter
• The Lynx retook the lead for the first time since the 9:27 mark in the third quarter with a Courtney Williams mid-range jumper to give the Lynx a 66-65 lead
• With her layup at the 1:55 mark, Alanna Smith surpassed her 2025 season-high of 18 total points, finishing with 19 points on the night
• A three-point basket from Williams tied the game at 71 with under a minute to go
• Natisha Hiedeman drilled a three-point basket with just 5.5 seconds remaining in a tied game, sealing the game for the Lynx at 74-71
Team Notes
• Kayla McBride led scoring for the Lynx in just her second game back, posting 20 points (4-11 FG, 3-7 3PM, 9-9 FT), 4 assists and 4 rebounds. McBride also recorded 300 three-pointers as a Lynx, 2,000 points as a Lynx and 1,000 career made free-throws
• Alanna Smith also recorded her 1000th career-point, posting 19 total points (8-15 FG, 2-6 3PM, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds and 4 blocks
• The Lynx have won each of their last four games by margins of 6 points or fewer. A year ago, Minnesota finished 3-4 in two-possession games (decided by 6 or fewer). No team in WNBA history has won five consecutive games, all by 6 or fewer points
• With tonight’s win, Minnesota continues an eight-game road winning streak from 2024, tying the second-longest road win streak in franchise history
Up Next
The Lynx will travel to Golden State to take on the Valkyries on Sunday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m.
(info courtesy of Lynx)
