Alex Rodriguez remembers a very specific lesson that longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner taught him over the years.

Alyssa Thomas had yet another big game for the Phoenix Mercury, helping the team take down the top team in the WNBA.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Minnesota Lynx have dominated the WNBA so far this season, running out to a 17-2 record—four games clear of any other team in the league in the loss column. Of course, fans wouldn't really know it based on the recently released roster for the upcoming All-Star Game.

On a day when two All-Stars went head to head, Alyssa Thomas delivered the veteran masterpiece. Missing Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally and Lexi Held because of various injuries, the Phoenix Mercury got everything they could out of Thomas and knocked off the league-leading Lynx 79-71 at PHX Arena on Wednesday afternoon.

A 16-0 run gave L.A. an 18-7 lead in the first quarter, but Minnesota dominated the second and third quarters to grab an insurmountable 21-point lead.

The Lynx badly need a win on Thursday, on the backend of a back-to-back road trip, and they responded with an impressive 91-82 effort over the Sparks in LA. Natisha Hiedeman led the Lynx with a season-high 18 points, Collier finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Courtney Williams added 16 points and Alanna Smith had 15.

The Mercury prevailed and ,79-71, in a hard-fought battle. Both teams experience swings of momentum throughout the game, which builds them a lead, but it seemed