MINNEAPOLIS — Resiliency has been a theme all season for the Minnesota Lynx.

It might be an understatement to say that was needed Sunday.

After setting a dubious league record in the first half, the Lynx defense did a dynamic U-turn in the second half to beat Phoenix 82-69 in Game 1 of the best-of-five WNBA semifinals.

“We’ll go look at some things, and (Tuesday’s) Game 2 will be just as hard,” said coach Cheryl Reeve.

Before then a long look will be given to the first half, one in which the Mercury scored 42 of their 47 points in the paint. And, yes, that is a WNBA playoff record for points in the paint in a half.

Reeve had no special message for her team at the break, nor was one needed.

“We’ve been through a lot of adverse situations in the last two years together, so we always kn

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