A new season, a rivalry renewed.

The Minnesota Lynx (0-0) host the Phoenix Mercury (0-0) to open the WNBA’s 25th season on Friday night at Target Center. Friday’s opener will mark both teams’ inaugural matchup in the newly created WNBA Commissioner’s Cup –  an innovative in-season competition that will culminate in an August Championship Game and a $500,000 prize pool.

The two sides previously met in the Second Round of the 2020 WNBA Playoffs, with the Lynx taking a narrow 80-79 victory behind an inspired 22-point effort from Brazilian sharpshooter Damiris Dantas.

After the Lynx shocked many in the national media with a Semifinal appearance in 2020 highlighted by 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield, Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve bolstered her roster in the offseason with the free-agent additions of Kayla McBride, Aerial Powers, and Natalie Achonwa. Six-time WNBA All-Star and 2017 Most Valuable Player Sylvia Fowles is fully healthy entering 2021 after missing most of 2020 with a calf injury.

Minnesota, however will be without All-WNBA forward Napheesa Collier as she finishes her overseas season in France. McBride returned from Turkey earlier in the week, and is currently in health and safety protocols.

The Mercury return a star-studded lineup of Diana Tuarasi, Brittney Griner, and Skylar Diggins-Smith in 2021, aided by the inclusion of Kia Nurse via a trade with the New York Liberty in the offseason.

The Lynx have won 14 of their past 16 regular season matchups with the Mercury, dating back to 2015.

Tipoff for Friday’s game is set for 8PM Central, available nationally on CBS Sports Network.

• What: Lynx vs. Mercury
• When: 8:00pm CT, May 14
• Where: Target Center
• Watch: CBS Sports Network