Lynx-Mercury preview: Collier vs. Thomas will be a battle

WNBA Playoffs | Semifinals | Best-of-5

Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 21 at Target Center | 4 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 2: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Target Center | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 3: Friday, Sept. 26 at PHX Arena | 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Game 4 (If necessary): Sunday, Sept. 28 at PHX Arena | TBD

Game 5 (If necessary): Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Target Center | TBD

The Lynx fell behind early in both games against Golden State but rallied each time to win, including a 17-point comeback in Game 2. They are one series away from advancing to the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive season.

Napheesa Collier: She scored 44 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in two games against Golden State, making 17 of 27 shots. She will be the focus of the Mercury’s defensive strategy. The Valkyries tried the same, but Collier found ways to get loose and bring the Lynx back in the Game 2 victory.

Kayla McBride: McBride made four of eight three-point attempts in the series against the Valkyries. If she can make 50 percent of shots behind the arc, McBride will be a problem all series. She was 14-of-23 from the field in the first round.

Alanna Smith: Smith was named the co-Defensive Player of the Year on Friday (along with Las Vegas Aces star A’Ja Wilson), and her post defense and rebounding will be vital in the series against the Mercury. Smith needs to be a presence when Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner attack the rim.

Alyssa Thomas: There have been seven times a player has had a triple-double in the WNBA postseason. Thomas has five of them, including Friday against the Liberty with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. She’s a forward but she is the tip of the Mercury’s spear.

Satou Sabally: The 6-foot-4 Sabally is a handful. She scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Friday’s win over New York but she attempted the second-most three-pointers on the team during the regular season.

One step away: The Lynx won’t get a chance to vanquish the defending champions. Phoenix took care of that by knocking out the Liberty. The revenge factor no longer exists, but the Lynx are facing a better team. They can not expect to fall behind the Mercury, which they did in both games against the Valkyries, and just turn it on. This series will be a battle.

Thomas vs Collier: Thomas averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists during the regular season. That’s approaching triple-double territory. The Lynx’s top-rated defense will be challenged to stop one of the most dynamic players in the league. The Lynx, of course, have their own in Napheesa Collier. This is a collision of MVP finalists.

Courtney Williams: Courtney Williams found other ways to contribute but shot 7-of-19 from the field in the series against Golden State. The Lynx are fortunate to have Natisha Hiedeman to come off the bench and provide some production. But the Lynx are hard to beat when Williams is scoring. Get Courtney going.

(with league rating)

Category: Lynx; Mercury

Points per game: 86.1 (1); 82.8 (7)

Offensive rating: 109.5 (1); 103.6 (4)

Field goal percentage: .472 (1); .433 (9)

Three-point percentage: .378 (1); .340 (6)

Points allowed: 76.7(2); 80.1 (4)

Opponent field-goal percentage: .423 (2); .427 (4)

Opponent three-point percentage: .331 (8); .421 (4)

Points off turnovers: 18.1 (2); 18.6 (1)

Points allowed off turnovers: 14.7 (7); 14.0 (4)

Rebounding: 34.2 (6); 34.7 (5)

Mercury: None reported