Atlanta entered the fourth quarter tied with Minnesota before the Lynx ripped off a 13-0 run that held the Dream scoreless for nearly five minutes of the fourth quarter. The Lynx would go on to outscore the Dream 26-12 over the final ten minutes and take Game 1 by a score of 88-74.
Atlanta was able to build as much as a 12 point lead during the first half but Minnesota continued to chip away until they drew even in the third. The Lynx defense proved to be too much for the Dream in the fourth as turnovers proved costly for Atlanta. The Dream entered the fourth quarter with just three turnovers but committed six in the fourth quarter alone. With the pressure on, Atlanta's offense settled into too much isolation and one on one play while Minnesota found a nice rhythm at both ends of the floor.
Angel McCoughtry finished with 33 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. She set a WNBA Finals record with 19 points in the third quarter. Lindsey Harding did most of her damage in the first half and finished with 20 points and five assists. Iziane Castro Marques scored all 10 of her points in the first half and attempted just one shot in the second after putting up 14 tries in the first half. Armintie Price and Sancho Lyttle struggled throughout finishing with just three points combined.
Rebekkah Brunson led the way for the Lynx with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Seimone Augustus added 22 points and seven assists while backcourt mate Lindsay Whalen finished with 15 points and six assists.
For more on the WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx then be sure and check out SB Nation's Women's Hoops blog Swish Appeal.