Overview

• Minnesota beat Phoenix 82-69 at Target Center to open a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.
• After Phoenix racked up 42 of its 47 first-half points in the paint, the Lynx tightened coverages, sent more doubles at Alyssa Thomas, and held the Mercury to 22 points on 9-for-36 shooting after halftime.
• Courtney Williams set the tone with a game-high 23 points and five steals, including four after the break, as Minnesota pushed the pace and pressured the ball.
• The Lynx won the glass 42-35 with all five starters collecting at least six rebounds, and reserve center Maria Kliundikova delivered eight pivotal fourth-quarter minutes with four points, four boards and two steals for a team-best +14 stretch run.
• Phoenix’s perimeter went cold at 3-for-23 from three and the team’s turnovers jumped from two in the first half to eight in the second; rookie Monique Akoa Makani briefly exited with a third-quarter limp and returned without scoring, and Game 2 is set for Sept. 23.