The Mercury’s playoff run has been impressive so far. They took down the defending champions in the first round and now have a 2-1 advantage over the Lynx—one of the title favorites going into the postseason. Phoenix is only one win away from returning to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021. That was a very different team, led by Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins, and Diana Taurasi, but the goal hasn’t changed—for the team or the big three, especially Alyssa Thomas. Phoenix is hunting its fourth championship.
Game 4 against the Lynx sets the perfect stage for the Mercury to return to the finals, as they should be able to take advantage of Minnesota’s misfortune. Napheesa Collier will miss Game 4 after injuring her ankle in the previous game.
Because of that very injury, the Lynx will also have to go into an elimination game without Cheryl Reeve. Collier hurt her ankle when Thomas stole the ball from her and the two collided afterwards. No foul was called, causing Reeve to storm onto the court, get ejected, leave the arena in dramatic fashion, and deliver a two-minute monologue on the officiating during her postgame press conference. The league suspended her for Game 4.
Minnesota will be a very different team without Collier and Reeve
Napheesa Collier is an MVP candidate and one of the best two-way players in the league. She is the Lynx’s leading scorer and rebounder, as well as last year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Collier does everything for the Lynx and is the one player on the team who can truly compete with Alyssa Thomas on both ends of the floor.
With Collier out, Jessica Shepard will likely step into the starting lineup. The Lynx found success with that before when Collier missed time during the regular season. Shepard hasn’t had her usual impact in the series against the Mercury, though, and, while she has been one of the best reserves in the league this season, she is not the same star-level player Collier is.
Collier’s absence will also put a lot of pressure on Alanna Smith and Maria Kliundikova to provide strong frontcourt minutes and on Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams as the Lynx’s other leading scorers.
Reeve’s absence will also change things. She is one of the most decorated head coaches in the league, and that is who the Lynx want on the sidelines during an elimination game, not associate head coach Eric Thibault.
Meanwhile, the Mercury have their big three and all their key rotational players available. On top of that, they will get to play at home. They have all the tools to upset the Lynx and punch a ticket to the finals.