How can a team lose a game in which they shoot 52% from the field, 7-11 for three, and lead twice by double digits, once by 16?

How can the same team win a game in which they shoot 47% from the line, turn the ball over 20 times, allow 12 steals, score just two points (and no field goals) in the final five minutes, and commit a shot clock violation on their final possession while trailing by two?

Lynx fans last night witnessed some of the season's most inspiring basketball... followed by its most frustrating. The visiting Mercury led for just 35 seconds, but they were the last 35. Taurasi tied the game with a jumper, and Penny Taylor made 4 free throws for the win.

Svetlana Abrosimova (20 points) looked like the only Lynx player who wanted the ball. (Katie Smith took five shots and sank none.) With Minnesota ahead, 53-40, starting point guard Kristi Harrower left the floor for the last time at 10:52; the game belonged to Phoenix after that.

Phoenix improve to 10-11, and have won 7 of 8; Minnesota drop below .500, having lost three in a row.

Phoenix coach Graf: "It looks like we've finally got our team together. We're a totally different team than we were."

Minnesota coach McConnell Serio: "This team has what it takes to get to the playoffs. But not the way it's playing right now."