Sports
How Phoenix reached the WNBA Finals, Indiana forced semifinals Game 5
The Phoenix Mercury are headed to the WNBA Finals. The Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces will play one more game to determine which team will face the Mercury.
No. 4 seed Phoenix overcame a 14-point deficit to eliminate the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx with an 86-81 victory on Sunday and advance to the Finals for the first time since 2021.
The Lynx dominated the standings throughout the season but lost back-to-back games in Phoenix, including a controversial ending to Friday’s Game 3, when star Napheesa Collier was injured. Collier missed Sunday’s deciding game, as did Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended after getting ejected Friday and blasting officials in her postgame news conference.
On the other side of the bracket, the Fever beat the Aces 85-77 to force their semifinal series to Game 5 on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Here’s how Phoenix won, and what to expect in the decisive Indiana-Las Vegas game.
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Final: Phoenix 86, Minnesota 81
What the win means for Phoenix
The jubilation of winning the series and advancing to the franchise’s first WNBA Finals in four years also comes with a sigh of relief. Playing against the injury-laden Lynx, the Mercury got off to a slow start, missing their first six field goal attempts, giving Minnesota a sign of life it didn’t appear to have after the end of Friday’s game. But another fourth quarter comeback saved Phoenix from a return trip to Minnesota and a deciding Game 5.
Down by 14 in the first half and 13 entering the fourth quarter, Phoenix dominated the fourth quarter for a third consecutive game. Behind five 3-pointers, including two crucial deep shots from DeWanna Bonner, the Mercury outscored Minnesota 31-13 in the final 10 minutes.
It was the Mercury’s second 14-point comeback in the series. Alyssa Thomas was big in the fourth, scoring 10 of her 23 points. She also assisted on a Sami Whitcomb 3-pointer that brought Phoenix within 70-69 with 4:47 to play, and Bonner’s second 3 that pushed the lead to 77-73 with 2:02 remaining.
Reaching the Finals is a testament to the job general manager Nick U’Ren did in the offseason. He completely revamped the roster, keeping only Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack, while bringing in Thomas and Satou Sabally. The chemistry came together in the biggest moments of the biggest games of the season.
0:23
Alyssa Thomas seals it with late jumper for Mercury
Alyssa Thomas knocks down the clutch shot to make it 81-76 vs. Lynx.
What the loss means for Minnesota
A season with only one mission — to win a championship — ends early. To not only fall short of that goal but see the season end one round earlier than last year is going to be difficult for the franchise to live with all offseason. That the Lynx played so well for 30 minutes in a game in which they didn’t have their star player or coach will be little consolation. Minnesota had complete control of this series until the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday; five days later its season is over.
All the disappointment will overshadow a brilliant performance by Kayla McBride, who scored a playoff career-high 31 points and tied a WNBA postseason record with six 3-pointers in the second half. Jessica Shepard, who played just eight minutes in Game 3, had 14 points and 7 rebounds in 36 minutes in place of Collier, giving the Lynx exactly what they needed to combat what had been a Mercury advantage on the inside for most of the series.
How do the Mercury prepare for the Finals?
Phoenix now has five days off before the start of the best-of-seven championship round and still won’t know its opponent until the Fever and Aces decide their Game 5 on Tuesday. This week, the Mercury will certainly take a look at how they’re starting games. Phoenix didn’t make a field goal for the first 4:47 on Sunday and scored just 14 first-quarter points. The Mercury trailed after the first quarter in three of the four games in the series. It’s nice to be the comeback kids and to have confidence late in games, but putting themselves in those situations is precarious. — Charlie Creme
Final: Indiana 90, Las Vegas 83
1:09
Fever take down Aces in Game 4 to even series
Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell combine for 49 points to boost the Fever to a win in Game 4 over the Aces.
What the win means for Indiana
A winner-take-all Game 5 on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Given all the injuries the Fever have dealt with this season, they’ll undoubtedly take it. And there’s no reason for Indiana not to believe in a possible win. The Fever already won at Michelob Ultra Arena in Game 1 and knocked off the Atlanta Dream in an identical situation in the first round.
Beyond those general factors, Indiana found something by playing through Aliyah Boston in Game 4. Having made just two free throws in the first three games of the series while scoring 28 total points, Boston smashed that total by going 10-for-13 from the line Sunday en route to 24 points — not to mention 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. At age 23, Boston is the youngest player in WNBA history with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a playoff game according to ESPN Research.
What the loss means for Las Vegas
The Aces are also headed to their second deciding game in as many series, having survived an upset bid when the Seattle Storm missed at the buzzer in Game 3 of the opening round.
Although Vegas is a win away from hosting the WNBA Finals, this hasn’t been the kind of dominant playoff run we expected based on the Aces’ 16-game winning streak to end the regular season, which they stretched to 17 by winning their opening game against Seattle. Since then, Las Vegas has gone 3-3. If the Aces want to be favored against Phoenix in the Finals, they’ll need to show us something in Game 3.
Where else can the Aces find offense?
After A’ja Wilson struggled from the field in Las Vegas’ Game 3 win, she had no such trouble in scoring 31 points on 14-of-24 shooting on Sunday. The Aces’ backcourt of Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young also excelled with a combined 30 points and 18 assists, making five 3-pointers. But the three leading scorers combined for nearly three-quarters of Las Vegas’ 83 points.
The Aces’ bench totaled 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting, a problem given starter Kierstan Bell logged just six minutes. They’ve only had fewer points in one game so far this postseason — Game 3 against Seattle. — Kevin Pelton
Jose Mourinho could be reunited with Karim Benzema at Benfica, while Liverpool and Manchester United are both weighing up a move for Everton center back Jarrad Branthwaite. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– New Benfica manager Jose Mourinho is keen to be reunited with his former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to Marca. The Al Ittihad player is pondering a return to Europe in January, with Benfica among those interested in acquiring his services. Benzema, 37, has been in Saudi Arabia since July 2023, having joined Al Ittihad on a free transfer from Real Madrid. As per Marca, the SPL club’s slow start to the new season has opened the door to a potential exit.
– Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United for center back Jarrad Branthwaite, the Sunday Mirror reports. The Everton man is a longtime target for United, who were linked with a move in the summer of 2025. However, with Liverpool having missed out on signing Marc Guéhi last month, the Reds could decide to pursue a move for Branthwaite instead. Everton haven’t given up on the idea of retaining the 23-year-old, who is under contract at the club until 2030. As per the report, United may “test the waters” with a £65 million offer for the player in January.
– AC Milan are set to rekindle their interest in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez this winter, so says Calciomercato. With Rossoneri head coach Max Allegri keen to bolster his defensive options in January, Gomez remains a player high on the club’s wish list. Milan failed to land the England international on deadline day, but seemingly haven’t been put off trying again next year. Gomez, 28, is under contract at Anfield until June 2027.
– Manchester United hold a key advantage over Chelsea in the race to sign Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, Football Insider reports. Should Marcus Rashford complete a permanent switch to Barcelona next summer, as many at United expect, funds would be freed up to finance a bid for Yildiz. The Turkey international is expected to cost upward of £80 million, although that could rise substantially higher if Juve agree on a new deal with him.
– Karim Adeyemi is “getting closer” to extending his contract at Borussia Dortmund, Nicolo Schira has revealed. Despite being heavily linked with a transfer away from BVB in the summer months, the 23-year-old now looks set to commit his long-term future to the club. He has got off to a fine start to the Bundesliga season, having most recently netted against Mainz on Saturday in a 2-0 away win.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Manchester United are prepared to let Jadon Sancho leave the club for nothing. The 25-year-old’s current contract expires next summer, though the Red Devils have an option to extend by 12 months. (Sunday Mirror)
– Liverpool are looking at Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano. The Reds are ready to swoop if he doesn’t agree to a new deal with the Bundesliga champions. (Christian Falk)
– Manchester United have lined up Conor Gallagher as a “Plan B” option if their efforts to sign Carlos Baleba prove to be fruitless. (Sunday Express)
– Several Saudi clubs remain interested in signing former Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho. Offers in the region of $3 million to $4 million could soon arrive for the Vasco de Gama playmaker. (Ekrem Konur)
– Real Madrid are “keeping tabs” on RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, who is a long-term defensive target. (Ekrem Konur)
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The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers battled each other in an absolute slugfest on Sunday night, and it ended in a 40-40 tie.
The stakes were already heightened coming into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as Micah Parsons was making his return to play his former team. While his impact was felt, it was the offenses that really came to play.
The last two minutes of regulation underscored that.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates with Terence Steele (78) and others after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The Cowboys needed to respond to a Packers touchdown. KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff to near midfield. It only took four plays for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys to find the end zone. Following a 19-yard pass to Jalen Tolbert, he found George Pickens for a 28-yard touchdown.
Dallas drove 54 yards in 62 seconds to get the go-ahead score.
Green Bay was quick to get back up the field. Packers quarterback Jordan Love led the team down the field in seven plays to set up a game-tying 53-yard field goal for Brandon McManus.
In overtime, the Cowboys got the ball first. Prescott found Tolbert coming back to the ball to make an incredible catch on the sideline. Somehow, Tolbert got both of his feet in bounds to set Dallas up in the red zone. The Cowboys couldn’t get into the end zone. Parsons possibly saved a touchdown with a sack of a scrambling Prescott. It was Brandon Aubrey who hit the chip shot to go up 40-37.
It was Love’s turn to lead the charge. On third down, the Cowboys may have gotten away with a defensive pass interference call. But it didn’t deter Love. The quarterback found Matthew Golden to keep the drive alive.
The Packers nearly ran out of time to make a final throw to the end zone. But he was left with one second on the clock. McManus came onto the field to kick the game-tying field goal.
Love was 31-of-43 with 337 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Each of his touchdown passes went to Romeo Doubs. The wide receiver had six catches for 58 yards.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass under pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
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Josh Jacobs was a menace on the ground. He had two rushing touchdowns to go along with 86 yards on the ground. He had four catches for 71 yards as well.
The Cowboys showed that they weren’t going to roll over and let the Packers walk all over them in their house.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons lines up against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
First, Dallas picked up a crucial two points when they blocked a Packers extra-point attempt in the second quarter. Markquese Bell returned the ball for the two points.
Then, the Cowboys took advantage as the Green Bay offense appeared to get complacent toward the end of the first half. Cowboys linebacker James Houston caused Love to fumble. He recovered it and gave Dallas a chance to score before halftime. Prescott then found Pickens in the end zone. Dallas had a 16-13 lead at halftime.
Pickens had an incredible game for the Cowboys. He had eight catches on 11 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball and holds off a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trikweze Bridges (25) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Prescott was 31-of-40 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He was only sacked once.
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Green Bay moved to 2-1-1 with the tie and Dallas became 1-2-1.
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Thirteen years after a scandal derailed his first stint as the Razorbacks’ coach, Petrino will take charge in the wake of Sam Pittman’s firing.
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