MINNEAPOLIS — Alissa Pili scored 20 points, Napheesa Collier posted her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx cruised to a 95-71 victory over Phoenix on Friday night, handing the Mercury their fourth straight defeat.
Pili sank 7 of 9 shots from the floor, including all four of her 3-pointers.
Dorka Juhász had 13 points and Cecilia Zandalasini scored 12 for Minnesota (5-2). Courtney Williams pitched in with 11 points and five assists.
Kahleah Copper hit three 3-pointers and scored 21 to lead the Mercury (3-5). Diana Taurasi added 14 points and Sophie Cunningham scored 13. Natasha Mack had 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
Alanna Smith scored seven of her eight points in the first quarter to help the Lynx take a 21-12 lead.
Williams sank two 3-pointers and Bridget Carleton had one to cap an 11-2 run to give Minnesota a 55-26 lead with 1:12 left before halftime. Copper scored the final five points before the break and the Mercury trailed by 24.
Collier scored four of the final six points of the third quarter to put the Lynx up 72-49.
Brittney Griner continued to miss time for Phoenix because of an injury to her left ankle.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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