Lynx dominate Mercury 88-65 to move to 8-0 behind Natisha Hiedeman’s strong showing

This is becoming a habit for Natisha Hiedeman. And, as a result, for her Lynx teammates, too.

Take Tuesday night’s 88-65 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Target Center in front of an announced crowd of 8,772. Here’s what those fans saw: a slow start, a spark off the bench again from Hiedeman, followed by Minnesota’s most complete game of the season.

“She’s hooping right now,” forward Alanna Smith said of Hiedeman.

They all are. Minnesota became the eighth team in WNBA history to start a season with at least eight consecutive wins. The Lynx have four of those seasons, most recently a 9-0 start in 2017.

On Tuesday, four Lynx players scored in double figures, six had multiple assists, and five had at least one steal. Down 23-19 after a quarter, the Lynx held Phoenix (5-3) to 42 points on 33.3% shooting over the final 30 minutes.

Napheesa Collier (18 points, 11 rebounds) had her fourth consecutive double-double. Smith had 13 points, six assists and three blocks. Kayla McBride scored 13 points as well.

But it was Hiedeman, off the bench, who was again the catalyst, scoring 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting.

With 44.5 seconds left in the first quarter, the Lynx trailed Phoenix by nine points.

Over the next 10-plus minutes, the Lynx outscored the Mercury 30-12, taking a nine-point lead to the locker room that they never lost.

In that stretch, Hiedeman had 11 points, an assist and two defensive rebounds. She finished on the break and from behind the arc.

“It’s just playing with pace,” Hiedeman said. “That’s what I do. I knew this was going to be a big year for me personally and for the team. I’m just taking what the defense gives me, really.”

This is becoming expected. Hiedeman led the Lynx’s improbable comeback in a win over Connecticut. Last week in Phoenix, her late three-pointer iced another victory.

All she did Tuesday was shake the Lynx out of their slow start, scoring 13 points in her first 13 minutes played.

Trace this all back to the offseason, when Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve went to Florida to talk with Hiedeman — who was playing in the Unrivaled League — about coming back for a second season. Over the course of last season, Hiedeman had gained Reeve’s trust to the point where Reeve realized she had to be more, in her words, intentional about getting the backup point guard steady time on the court. Reeve can be hard on players after they make a mistake or two. Now Reeve is more likely to stick with Hiedeman.

“This is our second year together now,” Hiedeman said. “Me and Cheryl have a great relationship off the court. That carries onto the court. I’ve just built trust with her.”

BOXSCORE: Lynx 88, Phoenix 65

WNBA standings

Against the Mercury, Hiedeman kick-started the Lynx into their best game yet. They set season highs in shooting (58.6%) and three-pointers made (12 of 25). The only down stat? The 25 turnovers, something that will be addressed in practice this week.

But that’s not what impressed Reeve the most.

“I thought, from start to finish, it was probably our best defensive game,” the coach said.

It might have been Hiedeman’s best game in a Lynx uniform. Her 18 points matched her high in Minnesota, and her confidence is surging.

Same for the Lynx, who have remained perfect even when not playing perfectly.

“We want to prove we’re the best team in this league,” Smith said. “And I think we’re doing a pretty good job of that so far.”

Hiedeman scored the game’s final points on a three-pointer with 21.8 seconds left, letting her emotions show afterward.

“When I play with swag and I’m just confident, that’s the best version of myself,” Hiedeman said.

With Smith leaning back and laughing, Hiedeman continued.

“Sometimes, you just gotta look in the mirror and tell yourself what you need to hear,” she said. “And that’s what I’ve been doing lately.”

“And what do you say?’’ Smith asked.

“I can’t say,” Hiedeman answered. “But it gives me a very nice boost.”

Collier was named WNBA Western Conference player of the month for May.

She played in five of the team’s six games in May and averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 35:19 minutes per game.

The Lynx improved to 8-0. It’s their fourth-best start to a season, all under coach Cheryl Reeve.

Year | Start | Final record | Finish

2016 | 13-0 | 28-6 | WNBA runners-up

2012 | 10-0 | 27-7 | WNBA runners-up

2017 | 9-0 | 27-7 | WNBA champions

2025 | 8-0 | TBD | TBD