WNBA Wrap: Collier Stars As Lynx Beat Sky; Mercury Win Over Valkyries

Napheesa Collier scored 29 points, Courtney Williams finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-78 on Monday.

Collier, the WNBA’s leading scorer at 23.9 points per game, made four 3-pointers and added five assists and three steals as the Lynx improved to 19-4.

Kayla McBride scored an efficient 17 points for Minnesota, and Bridget Carleton added 11.

Chicago (7-14) went into half-time with a two-point lead, but the Lynx rolled in the second half, finishing the game with 24 points off turnovers.

Angel Reese led the Sky with 22 points and 10 rebounds, recording her ninth straight double-double.

Rachel Banham hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 15 points, while Rebecca Allen scored 10 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

Thomas’ late FT lifts Mercury over Valkyries

DeWanna Bonner had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Alyssa Thomas made the go-ahead free throw with one second remaining and the Phoenix Mercury edged the Golden State Valkyries 78-77 after a nail-biting finish.

The teams went back and forth for the entire fourth quarter, culminating in Golden State’s Janelle Salaun making a game-tying jumper with 6.1 seconds on the clock.

In the ensuing Phoenix possession, Thomas was fouled on a drive to the basket. She missed the first free throw but buried the second to put the Mercury in the lead.

Thomas finished with 17 points and 11 assists. Kathryn Westbeld made four 3-pointers to finish with 14 points for Phoenix (14-6).

Veronica Burton had 17 points and six assists to lead the Valkyries (10-10), while Tiffany Hayes finished with 15 points, shooting 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Salaun had 12 points.