The Minnesota Lynx host the Phoenix Mercury on July 13 with the standings tight at the top and the home team still holding the edge in the matchup. Minnesota begins the day tied with Vegas and Golden State for the most wins in the WNBA at 17 apiece, while Phoenix comes in after a 106-58 loss to Vegas, the third-largest loss in league history.
That is why Mercury vs Lynx is drawing attention now: the teams have already met twice, and Minnesota has won both games while holding Phoenix to 37% shooting, winning the rebounding battle by 23 and outscoring the Mercury by 42 points in the paint. The Lynx have also had a clear answer when the game gets physical, and Kayla McBride has been the steady one lately, leading Minnesota in scoring in four straight games and reaching 16 or more points in seven of her last eight.
The form lines point one way, but the injury report complicates the picture. Napheesa Collier is listed out for Minnesota, as is Maya Caldwell, yet the Lynx are still favored at home. Phoenix is missing Natasha Mack, and Alyssa Thomas is coming off a night in which she had one assist against Vegas after going under her assist line in three straight games, including both meetings with Minnesota this season.
Even with Collier unavailable, Minnesota has enough recent evidence to keep the pressure on. The Lynx have won 12 straight games against Western Conference opponents with a losing record, and they already know how to make Phoenix uncomfortable over a full game. The next test is the one in front of them on July 13, and it is hard to look past Minnesota controlling it again if the Mercury do not solve the same problems that have already beaten them twice.
