Nia Coffey Dropped 13 Points in the Clutch and the Lynx Finally Have Their First Win

Minnesota got off the schneid Tuesday night in Phoenix. After dropping their opener 91-90 to Atlanta on Saturday, the Lynx bounced back with an 88-84 road victory over the Mercury, and Nia Coffey was the difference down the stretch. She scored eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter when it mattered most, hitting key shots when Phoenix needed stops.

The Lynx Spread the Scoring Around

This wasn't a one-person show in Minnesota's corner. The Lynx got six different scorers into double figures, which is exactly the kind of balanced attack that wins close games. Kayla McBride and Natasha Howard each dropped 14 points, Coffey and Olivia Miles added 13 apiece, and Courtney Williams plus reserve Emma Cechova chipped in 11 each.

Howard was a beast on the glass too, pulling down 11 boards to go with her 14 points for a double-double. Coffey matched that rebounding total with 10 of her own while scoring her 13. When you've got multiple threats and your role players stepping up like that, you can win on the road against good teams.

Phoenix Had Kahleah Copper and Not Much Else

Kahleah Copper was unstoppable for the Mercury, leading all scorers with 30 points on 9-of-21 shooting. She was money from the free-throw line too, going 10 of 13. DeWanna Bonner added 16 and Alyssa Thomas had 10, but when Copper couldn't get help, it showed down the stretch.

This game stayed tight the entire way. There were 15 ties and 17 lead changes, which tells you both teams were trading haymakers. Neither squad could ever build real breathing room. The second half was particularly locked in, with the biggest lead by either team sitting at just five points.

Fourth Quarter Heroics Sealed It

With 4:39 left, Copper drilled a 3-pointer to put Phoenix up 81-77, but she couldn't convert on the next chance. Coffey answered with a clutch 3-pointer to cut it to 81-80 with 3:41 remaining. Howard answered with a layup, then Coffey took over, hitting a go-ahead layup with 1:57 left to make it 84-83 Minnesota. After Alyssa Thomas missed two free throws, Coffey delivered the dagger, dripping a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left that pushed the lead to 87-83. Olivia Miles made one of two free throws to seal it at 88-83 with 13 seconds left. Thomas made one final free throw with 7 seconds on the clock, but it was too late.

Minnesota improves to 1-1 on the season while Phoenix falls to 1-2 after losing back-to-back games. The Lynx showed they can win ugly on the road. That's a good sign early.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.