Lynx 95 (3-1) � Mercury 67 (2-2)
MENZIE HENDERSON
Lynx Writer
Box ScoreHow it Happened
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The offense rolled to break a franchise postseason record for points scored, but the defensive end was actually where they took Game 1 of the West Finals from the Phoenix Mercury 95-67.
�It was a tremendous feeling in terms of how hard we played on the defensive end and dictating action,� Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said of the effort following the win. �Phoenix is a difficult team to guard, but we made it look fairly easy tonight with the energy that we played from all positions.�
Minnesota showed that energy right from the tip, as Maya Moore set the tone with two opening treys from beyond the arc that ignited the 8,912 strong at Target Center. The Lynx jumped out on a 15-3 run and closed the first quarter with a controlling 28-11 lead.
Behind stifling defense, the Lynx never gave up the lead and limited the WNBA's No. 1 offense to just 35.7 percent shooting. Diana Taurasi paced the Mercury with 22 points, but received little help from sidekicks Penny Taylor and Candice Dupree. Taylor finished with only six points, while Dupree added just two.
"I'm really happy we were able set the tone with our defense,'' Lynx guard Candice Wiggins said. "When you're dealing with a team like Phoenix with Diana and Penny Taylor, they're just so offensively gifted. When you're able to win with your defense, it feels good.''
But being the competitor Taurasi is, she would not let the Mercury go away easily.
Taurasi and her team chipped away at the lead with a 16-5 surge in the second quarter to pull within eight. Then, the WNBA's leading scorer opened the second half with five straight points as the Mercury got within single-digits 47-41.
Despite every bucket Taurasi knocked down, Minnesota�s Seimone Augustus seemed to always have an answer. Behind Augustus and a sparkplug effort off the bench from Wiggins, the Lynx closed the third with a 20-8 statement run to blow the game wide open.
The Lynx led 74-55 heading into the final period and cruised the rest of the way. All 11 Minnesota players were able to get on the board in the convincing victory.
Leader of the Pack
Entering the game as Minnesota�s leading and most consistent postseason player, Seimone Augustus had another dominating offensive performance of 21 points and seven assists. Notable Performance
After totaling just two points in Minnesota�s first three postseason games, Candice Wiggins came off the bench to give the Lynx a huge lift in the second half. The Mercury attempted to execute a zone defense in hope of slowing down the Lynx attack, but with Wiggins spotting up on the perimeter, she made them pay. Wiggins dropped 14 points, including 4-of-7 from downtown.
"Candice got the game ball tonight," Coach Reeve happily expressed. "Candice played with that energy, which is so fun to watch. I was happy with what she did. She's our X Factor, you have to have that. The starters are going to be keyed on, but you have to have players on the bench ready to contribute like Candice was tonight."
Highlight To Remember
On a fast-break opportunity started by a Rebekkah Brunson block, Lynx guard Monica Wright picked up the loose ball and launched it up court to a streaking Lindsay Whalen, but the pass was too strong and appeared to be another missed chance for the Lynx. Before Coach Reeve could yell with frustration, Whalen saved the play by diving out of bounds and tipping the errant pass to a trailing Brunson for an easy layup. The hustle play was a prime example of Whalen�s heart and desire to win -- doing whatever is necessary for her team to succeed. Whalen finished with four points and four assists.
Rookie Report
Something about playing against the Phoenix Mercury must get Maya Moore fired up. Moore came in averaging 18.8 points per game in five matchups against Phoenix this season, her highest against any Western Conference opponent, and tonight her play was equally as strong. The rookie claimed the momentum for the Lynx right away by coming out on a tear. She scored 13 of her 15 points in the first quarter and ended to haul in seven rebounds as well -- all in front of her old UConn head coach, Geno Auriemma, who sat courtside tonight to watch some of his former players.
The Numbers Game
Rebekkah Brunson has been a beast on the boards throughout the playoffs, and tonight the double-double machine posted 13 points and 13 rebounds. Brunson currently holds a league-best postseason average of 13.0 rebounds per game.
 GAME 2: Sun Sept. 25 4 PM | TIX GAME 3: Tues Sept. 27 TBD | TIX |
The Minnesota Lynx are now just one win away from a trip to the WNBA Finals and will attempt to close out the series this Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM. When asked of what to expect in the next matchup on the road, Wiggins replied, "We've just got to be prepared for wrath. They're going to be real upset.''
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