The No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx came back from down 18 points to steal Game 1 on the road from the No. 1-seed New York Liberty, winning 95-93 in overtime.
The Lynx got a MVP performance from Napheesa Collier, who ended the night with 21 points, eight rebounds and six blocks. Collier also had the game-winning basket and defended Breanna Stewart on the game’s final possession.
Courtney Williams was integral in this Lynx victory, scoring a team-high 23 points, including a huge four-point play that helped force overtime.
Given the collapse, Liberty fans will not want to hear about how well their team played, but they did have some standout performances. Jonquel Jones was superb, with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Leonie Fiebech brought her elite defense and added 17 points. While Stewart will be remembered for missing the game-winning free throw in regulation and the game-tying layup in overtime, she still contributed 18 points in the defeat.
The Lynx have dominated this matchup this year. They beat the Liberty 2-1 in the regular-season series, defeated them in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship and now, most importantly, lead the WNBA Finals 1-0.
The Lynx wouldn’t let the Liberty put them away
It was all good three quarters ago for the Liberty. They came out roaring, outscoring the Lynx 32-19 in the opening frame. Collier struggled to get going offensively, as Stewart’s size gave her trouble. After a Betnijah Laney-Hamilton layup, New York led 39-21 with 6:24 left in the first half. It started to look like the Liberty would cruise to victory at home.
However, Minnesota had other plans, going on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit down to seven points. Sabrina Ionescu rattled in a 3-pointer to stop the run and kill Minnesota’s momentum. At the break, New York was ahead by eight.
In the third quarter, the Lynx went on an 8-2 run to make it a one-possession game. Suddenly, Minnesota was in control. Williams was yapping to the crowd, her Dad was jawing with fans and Kayla McBride had a menacing smile on her face as Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called timeout, grabbed her clipboard and tried to draw something up that would right the ship.
After the timeout, the Liberty came out and had a 24-second shot clock violation. In the final minute of the third, New York finally found some rhythm thanks to a pair of Nyara Sabally free throws and a huge Courtney Vandersloot 3-pointer.
The Lynx came through in the most crucial moments
Up by seven at home, entering the fourth, the Liberty had an opportunity to close the door on the Lynx. New York went on an 8-0 run and extended their lead back up to a dozen.
Minnesota, however, refused to go away. Williams converted a pull-up jumper, McBride hit a 3-pointer and Natisha Hiedeman added another make from behind the arc. Jones scored for New York, but the Lynx responded with six unanswered points, and suddenly, with 42.1 seconds left, it was an 83-80 game.
The following Liberty possession ended with Collier blocking Jones, despite being hooked by the Liberty. The rejection was one of the best blocks I’ve ever seen, given the degree of difficulty and importance of the moment.
Not to be outdone, Williams helped her All-Star by hitting a clutch 3-pointer, which, with Ionescu fouling her, resulted in a four-point play possibility. Williams hit the free throw, and the comeback was complete. Lynx were up one with 5.1 seconds left.
Stewart got a good look at the basket for the Liberty, but Collier blocked it, leaving one second on the clock for New York to try and inbound the ball and win the game. The Liberty got the ball to Stewart. She was tangled up in the paint and fouled on what would’ve been the last play of the game. After review, it was upheld as a foul, and Stewart went to the line to shoot two free throws. She made the first to tie the game but missed the second. Minnesota tried to get a game-winner off with 0.5 seconds left, but Williams missed, and we headed to overtime.
The game remained tight after regulation, but the Lynx stayed in control. Collier converted on a layup and Alanna Smith scored on a Williams dime and Minnesota lead by four. Jones hit a 3-pointer for New York to shrink the lead down to one, but Williams responded with a 3-pointer for Minnesota. With 28 seconds left, the score was even at 93, and Collier scored to give the Lynx the edge.
New York had 8.1 seconds left and one more chance to tie or win the game. Collier defended Stewart and she blew right past her. Collier shouted for her teammates not to foul, and Stewart got a clean look at the basket but missed the basket, ending the game and giving the Lynx a historic victory in an instant classic.
Closing thoughts from a crazy Game 1
There is so much to unpack, but credit to the Lynx for never quitting and fighting back into his one. Collier proved why she was the Defensive Player of the Year. We mentioned Williams needing a big game for Minnesota to win, and she delivered.
New York’s loss is devastating, but it’s first to three wins, not to one. Jones played well, and Ionescu can be better. Stewart was great for most of the game, but the devil is in the details, and missing that free throw was a death knell.
This loss is a lesson for the Liberty. If they are stronger in 2024 than they were in 2023, they will respond and be ready for Game 2 on Sunday. This series is far from over.