A tough road trip ended on Friday as the Phoenix Mercury still couldn’t find any answers against one of the best teams in the league.
The Mercury (3-5) fell behind by nine points in the first quarter to the Minnesota Lynx and never led before losing 95-71 to Minneapolis.
The Mercury struggled with the ball and committed 16 turnovers. The Mercury are eighth in the 12-team league for the most turnovers per game (15.3).
The Mercury’s Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 21 points, going 3-for-6 from the 3-point line. Copper knocked down two 3-pointers during an 18-point third quarter, the only game in which the Mercury outscored the Lynx. Diana Taurasi added 14 points on 3-of-10 shooting, including two 3-pointers.
more: Brittney Griner is still out as the Phoenix Mercury falls to Liberty and faces Lynx.
Lynx forward Alissa Pili ignited the bench with 20 points in 15 minutes. The Lynx bench outscored the Mercury bench 50-10. The Mercury played without Becca Allen (concussion protocol) for the third straight game and without Brittney Griner (left foot) for the eighth straight game.
The Lynx were efficient throughout the game, shooting 36-for-36 (49.3%) and 14-for-35 (40%) from three. The Mercury could not keep up with the Lynx with 24 hits from the floor. -62 (38.7%) and 9-for-28 (32.1%) from 3. Neither team performed well from the line, shooting below 80 percent.
The Mercury are next scheduled to play against the Los Angeles Sparks (2-5) on Sunday at Footprint Center at 3 p.m. The Sparks have dropped three of their last four games.
This article originally appeared in the Arizona Republic: The turnover cost the Mercury a loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
