Each game between the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury has been one of the most dramatic contests of the postseason. At first, it was the Lynx making a comeback after allowing the Mercury 47 points in the first half of Game 1. They limited them to 22 in the second half, enough to fuel a win.

But Game 2 was the exact opposite. This time, the Lynx looked firmly in control as they built a 20-point lead. Their defense forced the Mercury into rushed possessions, but only until halftime. After that, the Mercury leaned on their depth and defensive pressure. All this led the Mercury to tie the series with an 89-83 overtime win. Now it’s tighter than ever, with both teams hungry for a comeback!

Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury: Where to Watch

• Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
• Tip-Off: 9:30 PM ET
• Where: PHX Arena in Phoenix

Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury: Injury Report

It’s going to be a tough game, and no player from either team is on the injury list except for DiJonai Carrington. She was ruled out for the season due to her significant mid-foot sprain. Initially, she was ruled out of Game 1 against the Mercury after an MRI confirmed the sprain.

Starting Five

Here are the starting five for the Minnesota Lynx.

Here are the starting five for the Phoenix Mercury.

So, who’s got better chances to win in game 3?

Despite their collapse in Game 2, the Minnesota Lynx enter Game 3 as favorites to win. After all, their regular-season dominance cannot be ignored. They finished four games better than any other team in the league, boasting a +12.1 net rating—nearly nine points higher than the Mercury’s +3.2 mark, according to SportsNetGM.

Against the spread, they went 26-19-1, the second-best ATS record in the WNBA, showing how often the market undervalued them. But don’t count the Mercury out just yet. They’ve kept momentum after completing the third-largest comeback in playoff history. They’ve got resilience, bench production, and defensive adjustments—almost everything you need to stay alive.

They’re now returning home to play in front of their X-Factor crowd. They’ve averaged 82.8 points per game while holding opponents to 74.8, nearly matching Minnesota’s 86.1 and 76.0 marks, but their shooting efficiency (43.3% FG) lags behind the Lynx’s league-best 47.2%. So, it’s understandable that ESPN has awarded the Lynx a 66.1% chance to win. But if we’ve learned anything from the 1-1 tie in Round 2, it’s that anything can happen anytime!