Phoenix Mercury breaks the history of WNBA Tuesday evening Originally appeared on Sports news
The Phoenix Mercury made the history of the WNBA on Tuesday evening, erasing a massive half-time deficit to beat the Minnesota Lynx 89-83, seeded, in overtime and even their semi-final series at 1-1.
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Lynx spits a historic advance
Minnesota had been unbeatable in this situation. The lynx was 15-0 in the playoffs when he was in the lead in half-time at halftime and 61-0 of all time during the detention of an advance of 16 points or more of half-time. The two sequences collapsed inside Target Center, while Phoenix returned from 20 points to hand in Minnesota his first loss of this kind.
The return equaled the largest road rally in the history of the league qualifiers, equaling the overvoltage of Chicago in 2014 against Atlanta.
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“This thing was never going to be easy,” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve after watching his team collapse.
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Whitcomb delivers the dagger
The Mercury dragged 48-32 at halftime and looked lifeless. But coach Nate Tibbetts lit a fire in the locker room, and Phoenix turned in the second half.
The determining moment came with 4.3 seconds in the regulations. After an offensive rebound Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper and Sutou Sabally passes, Sami Whitcomb buried a three to equalize the match at 79 and forced overtime.
“I was joking afterwards, it takes 20,000 training shots for one like that,” said Whitcomb. “But that’s why you have put the work, for moments like these.”
Phoenix causes momentum in OT
Once the match hit extra time, Phoenix has never looked back. Sabally propelled the offensive with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Thomas almost displayed a triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and eight advice. Whitcomb added 13 on the bench, with the most close -up of the night.
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The lynx, which finished the regular season 34-10 and had the best home record in the league, failed under pressure. Naphesesa Collier led Minnesota with 24 points, but the turnover and chances were missing the section condemned them.
“Uncantmade errors, not taking care of the ball, was the difference,” admitted necklace. “We are fighting.”
The series goes to Phoenix
With the best of five tied to a match each, the series is now heading west. The 3 and 4 matches will be played in Phoenix Friday and Sunday, where the Mercury will have the chance to take their momentum in front of a noisy crowd.
For Minnesota, it is a bitter reminder that no advance is sure in the playoffs.
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