Let’s explore the multitude of reasons behind the Lynx’s semifinal loss, examining tactical missteps, psychological breakdowns, player absences, and the Mercury’s resilience, in an effort to understand where it all went wrong for Minnesota.

A busy offseason lies ahead for Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx, who won't be able to completely run it back in 2026.

The Phoenix Mercury sent the Minnesota Lynx home dejected and without a WNBA championship. The Lynx were supposed to win it all ... until they didn't.

It’s safe to say that WNBA fans do not agree with the league’s decision here, and more than a few of them are calling out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for how she has handled this situation. Either way,

The Minnesota Lynx entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed and one of the favorites to win it all after being the top team in the WNBA all season. However, they fell short of their goal for the second consecutive year after losing the semifinal series to the Phoenix Mercury.

Updates from Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.

Since then, they’ve dropped two straight games, blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2 and subsequently dropping Game 3 on Friday night. To make matters worse, Napheesa Collier exited the game in visible pain with 22 seconds to play, seemingly injuring her ankle on the final play of the game.