The Minnesota Lynx were not favored to win the Commissioner’s Cup, but they did just that on the road on Tuesday, beating the New York Liberty, 94-89. It took a dominant third quarter, during which Minnesota held New York to just 10 points, for the Lynx to gain the advantage and control the game.
The Lynx got it done thanks to the best performance of Bridget Carleton’s WNBA career, which included 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in the win. The Commissioner’s Cup MVP has been the Lynx’s MVP all season: Naphessa Collier. She scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and a flawless 3-for-3 from the 3-point line.
The victory not only brought hardware and bragging rights for Minnesota, but also dollars. The team won $500,000, which will be divided among the roster. The Lynx also earned an extra $10,000 for their chosen charity, Gender Justice, which focuses on advancing efforts for gender equality. The Liberty earned $5,000 for its charity, Women Creating Change.
The opening quarter was balanced, with the Liberty narrowly edging out the Lynx 27-23 after one. New York got the lead thanks to a 7-3 scoring burst in the final 88 seconds of the frame. Sabrina Ionescu led the charge, playing every minute of the first and scoring seven of her 23 points. The Lynx trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but midway through the second quarter, they went on a run to cut the deficit back down to just three points, thanks to Collier and Carleton scoring 13 of the team’s second-quarter points.
With the game even at 55 and 4:41 left in the third, the Lynx got red-hot from deep, converting on three-consecutive 3-pointers to take control. With a six-point edge heading into the final 10 minutes, Minnesota added to that lead with buckets by Natisha Hiedeman and Cecilia Zandalasini, extend their advantage to 10. However, the Liberty wouldn’t go quietly into the night, as Breanna Stewart scored nine-consecutive points to get the Liberty within one point.
Minnesota was able to create separation once again with timely baskets from Carleton, and Collier seemed to hit a crucial 3-pointer every time they needed one. With under two minutes left, Carleton hit one from deep herself, and the Lynx had a comfortable 11-point lead they would never relinquish. While the Liberty kept chipping away, they ran out of time, losing at home and unable to defend their 2023 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Closing thoughts
Every year, the Commissioner’s Cup has served as a barometer for the league’s elite teams. For anyone still skeptical about the Lynx, this victory should put you on notice. They beat the team tied for the best record in the WNBA, and they aren’t far behind themselves with the third-best record.
Collier is coming into her own and entering her prime. Role players like Carleton can explode anytime, and Kayla McBride is still a bucket. By the looks of it, the Lynx will have something to say about who wins it all this year, and playing them will be a matchup no team will look forward to come playoff time.