The Minnesota Lynx’s bid for a deep run in the WNBA semifinals hit a serious setback Friday night, as they lost Game 3 to the Phoenix Mercury 84-76 at PHX Arena, giving Phoenix a 2-1 series lead. The contest, brimming with relentless physicality and clutch performances, boiled over in the final seconds with an ejection for Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and a painful injury to star Napheesa Collier.

Collier, the 2025 WNBA MVP runner-up, finished with 17 points but did not score in the fourth quarter, attempting only one shot in the period. Her night ended with an ankle roll and knee contact following a steal by Mercury star Alyssa Thomas with 21.8 seconds left. Thomas converted the breakaway layup, giving Phoenix a six-point lead that effectively sealed the game.

Collier was helped off

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