Napheesa Collier and Lynx beat Diana Taurasi and the Mercury KO

Taurasi scored 10 points, including two 3-pointers, and received a standing ovation as she left the court with 2:34 left in the first-round elimination game. Taurasi also received a technical foul early in the fourth quarter.

The Mercury made their mark early in the first half, but trailed the Lynx 49-47 at halftime. Minnesota led by nine points in the second quarter, but the Mercury outscored them 10-4 in the final minutes before halftime.

The Mercury stayed close to the Lynx early in the third quarter, leading by one point at 8:38, but Minnesota pulled away after Sophie Cunningham was called for a Flagrant 1 foul on Bridget Carleton at 7:43, sparking a 12-4 run for the Lynx.