Lynx stay perfect, beat Mercury to reach 8-0

Natisha Heideman scored of her points in the first half on Tuesday as the Lynx overcame a slow start to run their season-opening winning streak to eight with an - accomplishment over the Phoenix Mercury at Target Center Napheesa Collier posted her fourth straight double-double with points and rebounds Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride each scored with McBride adding seven assists The Lynx trailed throughout the first quarter with Phoenix pulling out to a - lead But Minnesota scored the last five points of the quarter on a Karlie Samuelson -pointer and a transition layup by Heideman That was the start of a - run that included another Heideman fast-break and another Samuelson -pointer Meanwhile the Lynx clamped down on defense holding the Sun to -for- shooting and just points in the second quarter Heideman added seven more points including a late that gave the Lynx a - lead at the half The Mercury hung around throughout the second half but Minnesota put it away with a quick - burst over a -second span in the fourth quarter Collier converted a three-point play and after a Phoenix miss Bridget Carleton hit a corner Then after a Courtney Williams steal Collier unveiled McBride in the opposite corner for another -pointer giving the Lynx an - lead Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith front falls over Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper during the first half of a WNBA basketball contest Tuesday June in Minneapolis AP Photo Abbie Parr