WNBA: Phoenix Mercury advance to final, Indiana Fever force Game 5

In Game 4 of the semi-finals, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 86-81, advancing to their first WNBA Finals since 2021.

After the first quarter, Minnesota had an 11-point lead, but Phoenix came back to tie the game at halftime in a back-and-forth contest.

After three quarters, the Lynx had a 13-point lead, but the Mercury came roaring back and defeated Minnesota 31–13 in the fourth quarter.

Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix with 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Satou Sabally scored 21 points.

The Lynx who lost to the New York Liberty in the last final competed without suspended head coach Cheryl Reeve and injured star Napheesa Collier.

Reeve's actions and remarks during and after Minnesota's Game 3 defeat earned her a one-game punishment from the league.

Even though Minnesota's Kayla McBride scored 31 points on Sunday, the Lynx were unable to advance to the WNBA Finals.

The Indiana Fever upset visiting Las Vegas 90-83 earlier to force a deciding Game 5 in their semi-final series.

The Mercury will either play the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever or the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces in the final.

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Despite missing injured players Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Chloe Bibby, and Sydney Colson, Indiana is one win away from a trip to the WNBA Finals thanks to 25 points from Kelsey Mitchell and 24 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists from Aliyah Boston.

With 31 points, nine rebounds, four steals, three assists, and three blocked shots, four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson led Las Vegas, followed by Chelsea Gray with 12 points and Jackie Young with 18.