Napheesa Collier scores 42 to tie a WNBA playoff record for points, and the Lynx swept the Mercury

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Napheesa Collier scored 42 to tie a WNBA playoff document for factors in a sport, and the Minnesota Lynx swept the Phoenix Mercury 101-88 on Wednesday evening.

Collier tied Breanna Stewart and Angel McCoughtry for the 42-point document when she made 1 of two free throws with 3:18 left within the fourth quarter. It was one among simply two misses from the free-throw line in 14 makes an attempt for Collier, who was subbed out with 58.3 seconds left.

Collier, who scored a career-high 38 factors in Recreation 1, grew to become the primary participant in WNBA historical past with 38-plus factors in back-to-back playoff video games. She additionally set a WNBA document for probably the most factors (80) over a two-game stretch within the playoffs. Collier reached 38 factors in Recreation 2 with 5:55 left within the fourth.

Minnesota performs Sunday in opposition to Connecticut, which superior to its sixth consecutive semifinals after an 87-81 victory over Indiana earlier Wednesday.

Kayla McBride added 15 factors, and Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith every scored 12 for Minnesota. Courtney Williams had 11 factors.

Brittney Griner scored 24 factors for Phoenix and Diana Taurasi completed with 10 earlier than fouling out with 2:34 left. Taurasi left to a standing ovation from the Minnesota crowd earlier than Collier came to visit to the Mercury bench for a quick handshake along with her fellow UConn star.

Taurasi hasn’t introduced whether or not that is her closing 12 months within the WNBA, however the Phoenix Mercury honored her at their closing residence regular-season sport.

Collier scored 11 of Minnesota’s 21 first-quarter factors after making 5 of 6 pictures. Collier completed the half with 23 factors on 8-of-12 capturing to assist Minnesota take a 49-47 lead into the intermission. The remainder of her teammates mixed to make 10 of 26.

The officers reviewed a bodily play within the third quarter involving Carleton and Phoenix guard Sophie Cunningham, who was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after the evaluate. Williams was additionally given a technical foul. After it was all settled, McBride sank a large open 3-pointer to provide Minnesota a 58-53 lead.

Williams gave Minnesota its first double-digit lead of the second half at 72-60 with 2:17 left within the third quarter. The Lynx led by double digits your complete fourth quarter.

Minnesota improved to 5-1 in opposition to the Mercury this season.

It was Collier’s third straight playoff sport general with 30 factors, tying the A’ja Wilson for the longest streak in WNBA historical past, after scoring 31 factors in a Recreation 3 loss to Connecticut final season.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball