WNBA playoffs: No. 1-seeded Lynx take Game 1 against Mercury in semifinals after later surge

The Minnesota Lynx pulled off a late push to beat the Phoenix Mercury 82-69 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. The Lynx took advantage of the home environment, outscoring Phoenix 23-10 in the fourth quarter to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Several Lynx players played well in the balanced win, but guard Courtney Williams in particular had a great night. The pink-haired, self-proclaimed "Stud Bud" shined in the win, finishing with a game-high 23 points and flirting with a triple-double, with eight rebounds and seven assists.

The game was close throughout, with the two teams staying in step throughout the first half. Phoenix held a narrow lead throughout much of the matchup, going up 47-40 at halftime; stunningly, 42 of those points for the Mercury came in the paint, marking the most paint points in a half in WNBA history.

Both teams were hampered by injuries: Rookie Phoenix guard Monique Akoa Makani went out with a knee injury early in the third quarter after knocking knees, while the Lynx were playing without key bench player DiJonai Carrington, who was sidelined for the rest of the season with a foot sprain.

Minnesota had several chances to pull ahead throughout the third quarter, forcing turnovers and missed shots from the Mercury. But the Lynx couldn't challenge Phoenix's lead until the very end of the quarter, as Kayla McBride sunk a free throw off a technical — drawn by Natisha Hiedeman, who took Alyssa Thomas's elbow to the jaw — to tie the game at 59-all.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Minnesota really started to take off. Williams pitched in several shots and assists in the key moments as the Lynx built up a double-digit lead, while McBride tallied up two of her four three-pointers in the final frame.

The Lynx ended the game on a 14-2 run, stomping on any chances of a late Mercury comeback and defending their home court in style.

This story will be updated.