The Lynx trailed Phoenix by seven at halftime in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinal series on Sunday in Minneapolis. Everything changed over the final two frames, largely thanks to the play of Minnesota’s floor general.
Courtney Williams exploded for 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in the second half as Minnesota proceeded to run the Mercury off the floor in an 82-69 victory in the first game of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center.
Minnesota won the minutes that Williams player by 18 points after the intermission.
“Court was terrific,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Yeah, player of the game for us.”
Williams was asked what seems to cause her to crank it up in the second halves of games. Frankly, the guard wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I think it’s just that I want to win, so it may look like that. I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not, because I should bring the same energy for 40 minutes,” she said. “Maybe it’s just a different perspective for you, because it’s go time.”
The stats suggest Williams is strong at all stages of games. But what is consistent is that as she goes, so do the Lynx.
Williams sported Minnesota’s second-highest net rating — trailing only Napheesa Collier — among the major contributors this season, with the Lynx outscoring opponents by 13 points per 100 possessions with Williams on the court.
When she’s rolling, the Lynx are nearly impossible to contain. Her positive energy permeates through her team and, when the games are at Target Center — as will be the case again for Game 2 on Tuesday — the entire building.
“I always have confidence in Courtney. But between her and (reserve guard Natisha Hiedeman), their pace, it’s a 40-minute game,” Lynx guard Kayla McBride said. “So, when we’re able to have spurts of that in transition, her getting to her pullup, things like that, it gives us energy as a group when we get out in transition.
“That’s our bread and butter. So, when she’s out there hooping and confident, it’s contagious. It just becomes a lot of fun out there playing the game within the game.”
Williams can be Minnesota’s barometer, but she also has a strong gauge for what’s required for the team to be successful. At halftime Sunday, after the Lynx defense was gouged for 20 minutes, Reeve noted Williams played a role in the decision to tinker with the defensive coverage to help slow Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas-led attack.
“She was like, ‘Can we try this? Can we do this?’ ” Reeve said. “She kind of put her money where her mouth was and tried to change things for us and make things a little more difficult (for Phoenix).”
Reeve said Williams led Minnesota in deflections, while also recording a career-high five steals.
“If I see a moment, just instinctually, I go,” Williams said. “Sometimes it don’t always work out, but it worked out tonight. I just follow my instincts.”
Just as the Lynx follow Williams, frequently to success.
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