The Phoenix Mercury proved Monday night they have the offensive firepower to compete with the WNBA's elite. Unfortunately for Phoenix, the Minnesota Lynx reminded everyone why they're one of the league's championship favorites.

Despite shooting better than 55 percent from the field and reaching the 100-point mark for one of their best offensive performances of the season, the Mercury watched a fourth-quarter lead disappear as Minnesota stormed back for a dramatic 104-100 victory at Target Center on July 13.

It was another frustrating chapter in what has become a difficult stretch for Phoenix. The Mercury have now dropped four consecutive games despite showing flashes that this roster is capable of playing with anyone in the league.

Against Minnesota, those flashes lasted for three quarters.

Then came one of the hottest fourth quarters any team has produced this season.

Phoenix came out aggressive from the opening tip, attacking the basket, moving the basketball, and consistently finding quality looks. The Mercury jumped out to a 27-21 first-quarter lead while forcing Minnesota to play from behind.

The Lynx answered in the second quarter, using a barrage of perimeter shooting to edge in front 50-49 at halftime. Rather than folding on the road, Phoenix responded with arguably its best quarter of the evening. The Mercury outscored Minnesota 26-19 in the third quarter, entering the final period with a 75-69 advantage and every opportunity to steal one of the biggest road wins of their season.

Instead, Minnesota delivered a championship-caliber response.

The Lynx exploded for 35 points in the fourth quarter, repeatedly finding answers every time Phoenix appeared ready to regain momentum. The game featured 23 lead changes and 13 ties, making it one of the most entertaining contests of the WNBA season, but the final minutes belonged entirely to Minnesota's backcourt.

Veteran sharpshooter Kayla McBride authored one of the finest performances of her career.

McBride poured in a season-high 37 points while knocking down six three-pointers, adding six rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots in an incredible all-around effort. Every time Phoenix seemed poised to regain control, McBride answered with another clutch basket.

The dagger came with just 45 seconds remaining.

Holding only a slim lead, McBride buried her sixth three-pointer of the night to extend Minnesota's advantage to 101-98, effectively sealing the victory and sending the Target Center crowd into celebration.

If McBride wasn't enough, rookie sensation Olivia Miles delivered the breakout performance of her young career.
Miles erupted for a career-high 33 points while connecting on five shots from beyond the arc and adding eight assists. The rookie repeatedly attacked the Mercury defense in transition and in the half court, showcasing why many believe she's already one of the brightest young stars in the WNBA.

Together, McBride and Miles combined for 70 points, becoming the first pair of Lynx teammates to each score at least 30 points in the same game.

That's nearly impossible to overcome, regardless of how well the opposing offense performs.

And make no mistake, Phoenix's offense was outstanding.

Kahleah Copper continued to look like one of the league's premier scorers, leading the Mercury with 26 points on an ultra-efficient 9-for-14 shooting performance. Copper attacked the basket with confidence, knocked down three triples and converted every free throw she attempted, providing exactly the type of offensive spark Phoenix needed.

Alyssa Thomas once again stuffed the stat sheet.

The veteran forward finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, falling just short of another triple-double while orchestrating nearly every successful Mercury possession. Thomas continues to prove she's one of the most complete players in the WNBA, impacting every area of the game even in defeat.

DeWanna Bonner nearly recorded a double-double against one of her former Eastern Conference rivals, finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds while providing veteran leadership throughout the evening.

Monique Akoa-Makani also enjoyed one of her most efficient offensive performances of the season, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting while knocking down three three-pointers. Her spacing helped open driving lanes for Copper and Thomas throughout much of the night.

Off the bench, Sami Whitcomb provided another valuable shooting performance, hitting three of her four attempts from long distance to score nine points in under 19 minutes.

Normally, producing five players with at least nine points while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor is enough to win almost any basketball game.

Monday simply wasn't one of those nights.

Minnesota somehow matched Phoenix possession for possession, finishing at 55.7 percent shooting while converting 12 three-pointers and making an astonishing 24 of its 26 free throw attempts.

The Lynx also forced 14 Mercury turnovers, creating just enough extra possessions to erase Phoenix's six-point fourth-quarter lead.

The biggest difference wasn't effort.

It wasn't execution for most of the game.

It was simply Minnesota making one more play every time it mattered most.

For Phoenix, this loss is both encouraging and frustrating.

Encouraging because the Mercury demonstrated they can score with one of the WNBA's best teams. Offensive rhythm has been inconsistent throughout the season, but Monday showcased what this group looks like when the ball movement, spacing and shot-making all come together.

Frustrating because scoring 100 points on the road should almost always result in a victory.

Instead, the Mercury were undone by defensive lapses during crunch time, allowing Minnesota's stars to completely take over the fourth quarter.

As the schedule continues, Phoenix will need to find a way to turn strong offensive performances into complete 40-minute efforts. The pieces are beginning to fit offensively, but until the Mercury consistently close games on the defensive end, victories against the league's top contenders will remain difficult to secure.

Monday night proved Phoenix is capable of competing with anyone.

​Now comes the challenge of finishing the job.

Past Mercury Articles:
Phoenix Mercury Embarrassed by Las Vegas Aces in Historic 106-58 Blowout as Losing Streak Reaches Three 
Phoenix Mercury Let Fourth-Quarter Lead Slip Away in 92-89 Loss to Indiana Fever 

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