After sprinting to a 47–40 halftime lead in Minneapolis, the Phoenix Mercury went ice cold after the break and dropped Game 1 to the Lynx, 82–69. Phoenix managed just 22 second-half points and shot 3-for-23 from deep while Minnesota flipped it behind Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier. Stephen and Erika unpack the hot start, the third-quarter swing, and the fix list for Game 2 — shot profile, getting to the line (only 4 FTs), and late-game poise from the Mercury.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Reaction to game 1 loss

5:00 – One Word Burn

7:30 – By The Numbers

20:00 – Kahleah Copper

24:00 – Natasha Mack

30:00 – X-Factor of the game (Alyssa Thomas)

36:00 – Keys to the game

37:40 – Game 2 adjustments