Williams powers Lynx past Mercury in semifinal opener, 82-69.

Courtney Williams poured in 23 points, grabbed a career-high five steals, and sparked a second-half surge as the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied to beat the Phoenix Mercury 82-69 in Game 1 of their semifinal series Sunday.

Kayla McBride added 21 points and Napheesa Collier—fresh off finishing runner-up in the MVP vote—contributed 18 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota trailed by nine early and was down seven at halftime after surrendering 47 first-half points, 42 of them in the paint. The Lynx regrouped at the break, clamping down defensively to hold Phoenix to just 22 points after halftime. McBride’s clutch three with under four minutes left stretched the lead to six, and the Lynx never let go.

Williams scored 12 of her points after halftime, embodying the shift. “When she’s out there hooping and confident, it’s contagious,” McBride said.

Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 22 points, Alyssa Thomas had 18, and Satou Sabally was held to 10—well below her season average.

Game 2 is Tuesday in Minneapolis before the series shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday.