The Minnesota Lynx made a late push to beat the Phoenix Mercury 82-69 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. The Lynx took advantage of home court, 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. 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 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

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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.

The game was close throughout, with the two teams staying in step during the first half. Phoenix held a narrow lead throughout much of the matchup, going up 47-40 at halftime; 42 of those points for the Mercury came in the paint — 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 an injury early in the third quarter after knocking knees, while the Lynx were playing without key bench player DiJonai Carrington, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with a foot sprain.

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

Minnesota took off in the fourth quarter. Williams contributed several baskets and assists in the key moments as the Lynx built up a double-digit lead, while McBride made two of her four 3-pointers in the final frame.

In addition to Williams’ night, McBride put up 21 points and six rebounds, while MVP finalist Napheesa Collier ended with a near-double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds.

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On the other end, Kahleah Copper had a solid showing for Phoenix, putting up 22 points, while Thomas (another MVP finalist) had 18 points and nearly dropped another triple-double. But the Mercury’s strength in the paint — the team made only three 3-pointers — didn’t end up being enough to overcome the Lynx’s late surge.

The teams will now stay in Minnesota for Game 2 of the best-of-five series on Tuesday, before traveling to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday.