The WNBA Finals are heating up as the New York Liberty took their first win of the series against the Minnesota Lynx, evening up the championship series at 1-1. After suffering heartbreak in Game 1, where they let slip a commanding lead and lost during overtime, the Liberty rebounded with strength and determination on Sunday, October 13.
Playing at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Liberty employed their high-energy style and capitalized on their home-court advantage, rallying to secure a convincing 80-66 victory. The game was marked by strong defensive action and strategic offense, showcasing the depth and skill of the Liberty squad. Breanna Stewart led the charge, scoring 21 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and achieving WNBA Finals history with seven steals – the most ever recorded in the Finals.
"The moment the game ended Thursday night, I was already focused on Sunday to change things, change the narrative a little bit," Stewart commented after the game, underscoring her determination not to let the previous loss linger. "Be the same I was and be obviously be improved."
The Liberty, who had built and then nearly lost sizable leads throughout the game, managed to maintain their composure when it counted most. At one point, they surged to lead by as much as 17 points, but the Lynx were not ready to back down, narrowing the gap to just two points late in the fourth quarter.
With less than four minutes remaining, Minnesota’s Courtney Williams converted a layup, closing the score to 68-66, but the Liberty refused to falter. A sudden 12-0 run over the last few minutes cemented their dominance, leaving the Lynx unable to respond effectively. Liberty’s Coach Sandy Brondello expressed relief at the outcome, noting the importance of regaining momentum. "Our offense picked up when it needed to, but let’s hope our defense is as consistent as we saw today," she said.
While Stewart's standout performance was pivotal, it was not just her brilliance on display. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton made her presence felt with her best offensive performance of the season, scoring 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Laney-Hamilton's contributions included four three-pointers, and her explosive play was described by teammate Courtney Vandersloot as transformative for the Liberty's overall game plan.
"When she’s playing like this, we’re different – she's such a strong scorer who draws so much attention," Vandersloot said. With this added layer of offensive production, the Liberty established four players scoring double digits, showcasing their versatility and depth.
The Lynx had their own talents on show, with Napheesa Collier leading the team with 16 points, assisted by strong contributions from Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith. Even with their commendable effort, the Lynx struggled to find the right momentum, particularly from long-range shooting, which has been one of their strong points.
Coach Cheryl Reeve expressed disappointment about the team’s execution, noting, "Our offense was sluggish at key moments when we needed it most. We have to come out on Wednesday with more energy. We simply can't allow this team to jump out to such large leads and expect to recover every time."
With the series now tied, the stage is set for Game 3, which heads to Target Center in Minnesota on Wednesday night. Both teams are eager to capitalize on this pivotal moment and push the series toward their favor.
This finals series marks not just the determination of the Liberty but also highlights the tenacity of the Lynx, underscoring what each team hopes will be their year to lift the trophy. With passionate fan bases and fiery competitive spirits, the WNBA Finals are shaping up to be one for the books, promising edge-of-your-seat basketball as the best-of-five series continues.
