Mercury rally to even series with Lynx as Fever, Aces split

The WNBA semifinals opened with a flurry of upsets, comebacks and momentum swings that have left both series tied at one game apiece and the pathway to the Finals wide open. Phoenix rallied from a 20 point deficit to beat top‑seeded Minnesota 89‑83 in overtime on Tuesday to even their series, while the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces split two hard‑fought games in their semifinal pairing after Indiana’s unlikely run from the first round continued.

In Minneapolis, the Mercury erased a 48‑32 halftime gap and forced extra time when reserve Sami Whitcomb buried a step‑back three with 4.3 seconds remaining in regulation. Phoenix never trailed in overtime, closing the contest at the free‑throw line to secure the 89‑83 victory and knot the best‑of‑five at 1‑1. Coach Nate Tibbetts praised the effort, saying the comeback exemplified “pride and toughness” and singled out Alyssa Thomas, who finished with 19 points and 13 assists, for igniting the second‑half rally. Satou Sabally paced Phoenix with 24 points and nine rebounds; Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 24.

Minnesota had opened the series with a 82‑69 victory in Game 1, when Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride combined to...