The expected rematch between the 2024 WNBA finalists finally materialized on Wednesday, with a victory for the Minnesota Lynx over the New York Liberty with a score of 100-93. The Lynx, currently in first place in the standings with a 23-5 record, consolidated their position on a day when the Liberty, in second place (17-9), and the Phoenix Mercury (16-10), in third, suffered defeats. The atmosphere at the Target Center was electrifying, with an attendance of 10,824 fans. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve compared the atmosphere to games 3 and 4 of last year’s Finals in Minneapolis.
Despite the intensity of the encounter, Lynx players Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, who combined for 54 points, did not feel it was a direct rematch of the Finals, given the advanced point of the regular season, which began on May 16. For them, the focus was on the game itself, especially after a home loss against Atlanta on Sunday.Exactly what you would expect, no matter who was playing for them, no matter what stage of the season we were in,” Reeve commented, acknowledging the absence of Breanna Stewart from the Liberty, due to an injury. “The fans were excited for this matchup, and I think they enjoyed a great basketball game.
Cheryl Reeve
New York coach Sandy Brondello reported that Stewart is suffering from a bone bruise in her right knee, an injury she suffered on Saturday. Stewart is expected to be back for the playoffs, but her return in the regular season is uncertain. Without Stewart, the Liberty had five players scoring in double digits, led by Sabrina Ionescu with 31 points. The New York team had a 48.6% shooting efficiency, and their 93 points surpassed the 75.4 points per game that the Lynx allowed their opponents before the game. New York’s defense couldn’t stop Minnesota, who had a 49.3% shooting accuracy and made 15 of 31 three-point attempts. The Lynx also had five players in double figures, and Courtney Williams, despite a difficult night with 1 of 13 shots, managed 13 assists. The next three Minnesota games will be against Las Vegas, Seattle, and Washington. Subsequently, the Lynx will face New York three times in a row: on August 10, 16, and 19. The Liberty will also play against Los Angeles and Las Vegas during that period, which intensifies the competition between both teams. Collier suggested that questions about the Lynx-Liberty game schedule should be directed to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, while McBride commented that it’s “strange why it’s like that”. The 2024 WNBA Finals series was won by New York in overtime in Game 5 last year. For this season, the WNBA Finals have been extended to a seven-game format. Collier also mentioned the imminent incorporation of Emma Meesseman into the Liberty. Meesseman has not played in the WNBA since 2022, but has eight years of experience in the league, in addition to her success abroad and with the Belgian national team. The presence of Meesseman, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall, will be even more important for New York given Stewart’s absence.“It’s fun to compete at a high level against the second-best team in the league,” McBride said. “We didn’t need much motivation. We had just lost our last home game. The main thing was to protect our home court first and foremost.
Kayla McBride
But just like last year, they’re two really great teams,” Collier said. “And if we make it to the Finals… first, we’re not even thinking about that yet, we still have a lot of basketball to play. But [if we do], I think it’ll be great basketball.
Napheesa Collier
