MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx remained in control in the final minute of regulation despite the disappearance of a 20-point lead, having built their advantage back up to five after the Phoenix Mercury had tied the game.

The Lynx still led by three points after Satou Sabally's putback for the Mercury, having survived the earlier collapse on their home floor and eyeing a closeout of Game 2 of the semifinal series with their roaring fans anticipating the same.

As it turned out, the top seed in the WNBA playoffs wasn't done unraveling.

Bridget Carleton took the ball to inbound it from the sideline with 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the Mercury had her teammates swarmed. Just as coach Cheryl Reeve screamed for a timeout, the whistle for a 5-second violation was blown. Alyssa

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