Taurasi posted 10 points, including two 3-pointers, and was given a standing ovation as she walked off the court with 2:34 left in the first-round elimination game. Taurasi also received a technical foul early in the fourth quarter.
The Mercury made a statement early in the first half but trailed 49-47 at the break against the Lynx. Minnesota led by nine points during the second quarter, but the Mercury outscored them 10-4 in the final few minutes before halftime.
At the beginning of the third quarter, the Mercury stayed close with the Lynx and were ahead by one point at 8:38. But Minnesota pulled ahead after Sophie Cunningham was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul on Bridget Carleton at 7:43, sparking a 12-4 run for the Lynx.
The Lynx, boosted by star Napheesa Collier’s record performance, were unstoppable down the stretch. Collier finished with 42 points on 14-of-20 shooting, tying the WNBA’s single-game scoring record in the playoffs.
Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 24 points and tied with three other players for the lead in rebounds at five. The Mercury worked harder on the boards, outrebounding Minnesota, 31-25.
Phoenix’s Natasha Cloud recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists.
The Mercury finished the regular season with a 19-21 record and made the playoffs one season after finishing last in the league.
