WNBA Finals Game 1 Live Blog
After nearly a week off, Game 1 of the WNBA Finals 2015 presented by Boost Mobile is set to get underway at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stay up-to-date with all of the day’s happenings and tune in to to ABC for the series opener at 3 p.m. ET.
Fever Take Game 1 75-69 Behind 19 Points From Briann January
The resilience of the Indiana Fever was on display Sunday afternoon as the Fever took every blow the Lynx had to offer, but Indiana took Game 1 75-69. Briann January may have fouled out in the game’s waning moments, but she left a lasting imprint on the game.
Johnson played gritty defense, as she’s become known for, but it was her clutch baskets in the fourth quarter that gave Indiana the edge it needed. Every time the Lynx got a big bucket, January seemed to either find the open player or hit the open shot. Now, the Lynx will look to bounce back Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.
January Leads Fever With 15, Indiana Takes 54-47 Lead Into Fourth
Briann January and the Fever came out in the third quarter and increased its lead by one point by the end of the quarter. Minnesota made basket after basket to get the crowd into the game, but Indiana had a response seemingly each and every time.
But Maya Moore, Whalen and Fowles took the court to start the quarter, and with the Lynx only trailing by seven, this game is anything but over.
Fever Lead Lynx 35-29 At Halftime
Despite Maya Moore’s 15 first half points, the Indiana Fever moved out to a 35-29 lead at halftime. Moore got the Lynx going in the second quarter and Sylvia Fowles added 7 first half points.
The Fever used a balanced first half attack behind 9 points from both Briann January and Marissa Coleman. Tamika Catchings finished the first half 1-5 from the field. Perhaps the big difference in the first half were the 15 second-chance points for Indiana. The Lynx were held to just four second-chance points.
Both teams will make their halftime adjustments, and now we’ll have to wait and see what’s in store in the second half.
Lynx, Fever Tied At 10 After First Quarter
Both the Fever and the Lynx locked in defensively during the first quarter and both offenses struggled to get going. Maya Moore scored the Lynx’s first four points and gave Minnesota an early advantage and got the crowd into it.
Maya Moore comes through with the timely REJECTION on @ABC! #WNBAFinals #Watch Mehttps://t.co/2HJiMnbkNo
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
But the Fever kept poise and stayed with the Lynx. At the end of the first quarter, Indiana and Minnesota are tied at 10. Maya Moore and Anna Cruz lead all scorers with four points apiece.
Lynx, Fever Take The Floor For Game 1
The @IndianaFever hit the floor for game 1 of the #WNBAFinals. Tips at 3pm/et on ABC https://t.co/1MObcNuWJh
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
The @minnesotalynx getting shots up before tip-off at 3pm/et on ABC! #WNBAFinals https://t.co/nAb11c8sjR
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
Lynx, Fever Take Court For Pregame Warmups
Coach White to @MarissaC_25! #WNBAFinals #WatchMe pic.twitter.com/boeSr1Kyta
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
Another day at the office for the best in the business. ??#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/RdWi5vdIhq
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 4, 2015
Another day at the office for the best in the business. ??#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/RdWi5vdIhq
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 4, 2015
?% focus from @MooreMaya. Game 1 tips off at 3pm/et on ABC! #WNBAFinals https://t.co/qxXigtacte
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
The @IndianaFever guards working on their handles before #WNBAFinals Game 1. #WatchMe https://t.co/5ocnx8zJVw
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
Coach @SWhitej2's #WordsOfWisdom: http://t.co/oG8OhWM6NA
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 4, 2015
Catchings Takes The Floor Ahead of Game 1
Tamika Catchings is looking to win her second title, and she took the floor ahead of Game 1 locked in and ready to go.
The @IndianaFever's @Catchin24 is ready for Game 1, tip-off at 3pm/et on ABC! #WNBAFinals https://t.co/Lw3n3jwgHd
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
You know @Catchin24 is ready for Game 1. Are you? Tip-off is at 3pm/et on ABC. #WNBAFinals #WatchMe pic.twitter.com/6VxyiOMaLJ
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
Lynx, Fever Arrive At Target Center
The Minnesota Lynx are in the building and ready to tip off their fourth WNBA Finals appearance in five years.
Rollin up, Finals style. The #Lynx are in the building. #RoarAsOnehttp://t.co/oeEb8nlkcK
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 4, 2015
Oh, and the Eastern Conference champs are also in the building!
The @IndianaFever have arrived! #WNBAFinals 2015 tip-off at 3pm/et on ABC. https://t.co/m5Se1BYqRv
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2015
This is a running blog and will be updated throughout Game 1.