Lynx 's transition offense wallops Phoenix

It doesn't matter what jerseys the Lynx sport these days -- home, away or breast-cancer-awareness pink.

They just keep on winning.

The uniforms might have been different, but the story was the same Tuesday night. Minnesota went on an 11-0 run to open up the fourth quarter and rolled over visiting Phoenix 90-73 for their franchise-record seventh consecutive victory.

Billed as a showdown between the WNBA's top two offenses -- the last time these two met at Target Center ended in an 112-105 decision that was the Lynx's last loss -- defense triumphed this time around.

Minnesota outscored Phoenix 23-11 in the final period and limited the Mercury to its lowest point total since June 4.

"It was amazing to be able to put them away in the fourth quarter, where they score a majority of their points," said Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who had her second double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. "To be able to hold them at bay, get scores, run-outs ... against that team, that was big for us."

Seimone Augustus sparked the surge with consecutive transition layups that sent Target Center into a frenzy and had the reigning Western Conference Player of the Month pounding her chest.

By the time Jessica Adair blocked three shots on three consecutive possessions, the Lynx had another blowout comfortably in their sights.

Diana Taurasi had a team-high 20 points for the Mercury but was frustrated with foul trouble throughout. Four other players finished in double figures for Phoenix, which has lost four out of five and played without 6-6 center Kara Braxton (family reasons).

Maya Moore scored 19 points in the first half after draining her first five three-point attempts but finished with just 22 and attempted only one shot in the second half.

July's Rookie of the Month instead deferred to McWilliams-Franklin and Lindsay Whalen, who each had 11 points, and Charde Houston, who canned two clutch three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

On their streak, the upstart Lynx have stomped over the traditional Western Conference giants, beating Seattle on Friday by 25 points and stunning second-place San Antonio by one point on Sunday.

"We learned we actually have the guts to dig in and win games," Augustus said.

"The last time we were here against Phoenix, we let a game slip away, but with the last two games ... we had the guts to get through."

At 14-4, Minnesota is 2 1/2 games ahead of San Antonio in the Western Conference and already has surpassed last season's victory total.

But with a future as bright as their hot-pink jerseys, complacency still hasn't hit the Lynx locker room.

"What really matters is what you do in the playoffs," Reeve said. "That's how you'll be defined. These are all just steps along the way, and the real goal isn't even upon us yet."

DateOpponentResult

7/15at Indiana80-70

Top scorer: Brunson 20

7/16Seattle69-62

Top scorer: Augustus 19

Top scorer: Augustus 25

7/26Los Angeles95-72

Top scorer: Augustus 22

7/29Seattle92-67

Top scorer: Two with 16

Top scorer: Whalen 23

8/2Phoenix90-73