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The Lynx had yet to face Phoenix with the complete set of its “Big Three” — Satou Sabally, Copper and Thomas — in their four regular-season matchups, all played before July 16.
Collier scored eight consecutive points for the Lynx to end the third quarter, followed by a Kayla McBride free throw to tie the score 59-59.
Bridget Carleton scored her first two points of the night on a fadeaway jumper with just over 9:17 left in the game to give Minnesota its first lead of the night, 61-59, and the Lynx stayed on the front foot down the stretch. Carleton hit a three-pointer with 2:16 left to make it 76-67, at that point the Lynx’s biggest lead of the night.
“I think it’s just my IQ, my attention to detail, knowing that little things can make a difference in winning a possession,” Carleton said pregame when asked about her impact in a season that, statistically, has been quieter for the guard. “Even if I’m not scoring or I’m not assisting, I’m helping the team be successful. And I take pride in that.”
With just under four minutes left in the game, Carleton drove down the baseline and kicked a pass out to McBride beyond the arc. McBride sunk her fourth three-pointer of the night (finishing 4-for-9 on three-pointers) to put the Lynx up 73-67.
Williams, who attempted just 19 shots across the Lynx’s first two playoff games, was 11-for-19 Sunday. She added eight rebounds, seven assists and, notably, five steals.
