Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury

Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury
9:00 pm Central 
Live Access and NBATV

The Lynx look to put pressure on the Mercury for the top record in the WNBA and home court throughout the playoffs in the final meeting of the year between the two powers in the Western Conference.

The 24-6 Lynx are 1.5 games behind the 25-4 Mercury, and desperately need a win to have any chance at catching them before the season ends. The Lynx lost the first two meetings of the year between the teams, but won the most recent meeting 10 days ago at Target Center in a contentious game that featured a lot of physical play. A win tonight would make the Lynx the first team in WNBA history to win at least 25 games in four straight seasons.

The Lynx have now won 11 straight games as they have returned to health, with power forward Rebekkah Brunson making a big difference on the boards. Since her return, the Lynx have posted a 54.1% rebounding percentage, compared to 49.1% prior. Brunson needs seven rebounds tonight to move into 7th place on the all-time WNBA list for total rebounds..

The loss to the Lynx is the only blemish for the Mercury in their last 20 games, as they have dominated the league for most of the season. Diana Taurasi, who struggled at Target Center going 5-21 from the field remains a potent perimeter force, and Brittney Griner has come into her own, setting a league record for blocks in a season. They have by far the biggest point differential in the league, winning by an average of 10 points a game, compared to the Lynx's +5 per game differential which is 2nd best.

The Lynx will need big games from their likely MVP Maya Moore and others to beat the Mercury in a building where they are 14-1 on the season.

Expected lineups

Mercury

DeWanna Bonner
Diana Taurasi
Penny Taylor
Candice Dupree
Brittney Griner

Lynx

Lindsay Whalen
Seimone Augustus
Maya Moore
Rebekkah Brunson
Janel McCarville