Why Phoenix's Rebounding Will Be Key Against Minnesota

The Phoenix Mercury are the top rebounding team in the playoffs, and they can use it to their advantage in the next round.

Sep 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (22) and Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) fight for a rebound during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury have had an interesting playoff journey so far, and now, they are headed to the next round. Phoenix started their first round series off with a loss, as the New York Liberty beat them in overtime. The Mercury's backs were against the wall, and a win on the road kept their playoff run alive.

Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) takes a shot over New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) in the first half during Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs first round at PHX Arena on Sept. 19, 2025, in Phoenix. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Once they picked up that win, they traveled back to PHX Arena, and they picked up a 79-73 win. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas led their team to victory, as they both had impressive games. Sabally had a double-double and was the team's leading scorer, while Thomas had the first 20-point triple-double in playoff history.

Phoenix will be facing the Minnesota Lynx in the next round, which will be a challenge. However, the Mercury will go out there and compete, as they want to win another championship. They also want to redeem themselves, as the Lynx beat them in the playoffs last season.

The Mercury are a great team on both ends of the floor, and one of the things they have going for them during this run is their rebounding. Phoenix is the top rebounding team in the postseason, as they average 39.7. Then, the Liberty were behind them, as they averaged 39.0 rebounds.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and his team prepare to play against the Indiana Fever at PHX Arena on Sept. 2, 2025. / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After the Mercury and the Liberty, the Indiana Fever are the best rebounding team. They averaged 34.3, and that was a factor in their win over the Atlanta Dream.

Mercury grabbing boards with ease

When it comes to rebounding, the Mercury are especially strong in the defensive rebounds category. They average 32.7 in that area, and they averaged seven when it comes to offensive boards. There are actually a few teams better than them offensively, as the Seattle Storm averaged 8.7 and Indiana averages 8.3. Regardless, the Mercury are still a threat.

With rebounding being one of the Mercury's strong suits, this is something they should lean on against the Lynx. That may be the deciding factor in this series, and luckily, the Mercury have players like Thomas and Natasha Mack that can get rebounds without any trouble.

Sep 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) grabs a rebound in front of Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) during the fourth quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images / Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

The Mercury want to win it all, and while scoring will play a major role in this series, Minnesota's defense could slow them down. However, if they are outrebounding the Lynx, they can pick up scrappy wins over them.

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