Lynx vs. Mercury schedule: Game times, where to watch and what to know about WNBA playoff semifinals

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx were the only team to sweep their first-round series and remained undefeated in the postseason with an 82-69 win over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of their semifinal series on Sunday. After an even first three quarters, the Lynx dominated the fourth quarter to pull away and take a 1-0 series lead.

Courtney Williams led the way for the Lynx with 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Kayla McBride added four 3-pointers and 21 points. After a shaky first half, the Lynx locked in defensively and held the Mercury to just 22 points after the break.

This is the second consecutive season that the Lynx and Mercury are meeting in the postseason and the eighth time ever. The Lynx, who swept the Mercury in the first round last season, are 6-1 in their previous seven playoff series against their rivals.

Will the Lynx continue their season-long dominance? Or will the Mercury finally strike back in this rivalry? We’ll soon find out. Game 2 of this best-of-five set is scheduled for Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

SPORTS TODAY No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 4 Phoenix Mercury

• Game 1: Lynx 82, Mercury 69 (Lynx lead 1-0)
• Game 2:Mercury at Lynx (-7.5) | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. ET — ESPN / Fubo(Try for free)
• Game 3:Lynx at Mercury | Friday, Sept. 26, TBD — ESPN2 / Fubo(Try for free)
• Game 4*:Lynx at Mercury | Sunday, Sept. 28, TBD — TBD
• Game 5*:Mercury at Lynx | Tuesday, Sept. 30, TBD — TBD

*If necessary / Odds provided by FanDuel

SPORTS TODAY Game 2 prediction

Heading into the series, the general consensus was that although the Mercury are a handful to deal with, the Lynx are the better team and would prove to be too good on both ends. That’s basically what we saw in Game 1, and there’s no reason to expect that to change in Game 2. If anything, the Lynx are now prepared for the Mercury’s physicality. The Lynx are the clear pick to win, but whether they’ll cover a sizeable 7.5-point spread when is another question. We’ll lean that way, but with some hesitation. Pick: Lynx -7.5