After nearly nine months since their unforgettable showdown in the 2024 WNBA Finals, the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx finally face off again on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Liberty, fresh off clinching their first-ever WNBA championship in a nail-biting five-game series last October, return to the hardwood to challenge the Lynx, who remain fired up after a controversial finals loss that still lingers in the minds of players and coaches alike.
The 2024 Finals was a rollercoaster, culminating in an overtime thriller where the Liberty edged the Lynx 67-62 in Game 5. The contest was marked by a pivotal late-game foul call against Minnesota’s Alanna Smith on Breanna Stewart, which sent Stewart to the line to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Lynx’s coach Cheryl Reeve was vocal in her postgame frustration, famously declaring the title was “stolen” from her team. Lynx star Napheesa Collier echoed the sentiment, admitting the loss was something she might never fully get over.
Fast forward to the 2025 season, and the rivalry is reignited amid a backdrop of anticipation and some scheduling quirks. Despite being the top two teams in the league, the Lynx and Liberty had not met until now, with their first regular-season clash delayed until late July. Both teams will meet four times over the next three weeks, a compressed schedule that promises intense matchups and high stakes as they jockey for the No. 1 seed.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Lynx hold a 22-5 record, boasting the league’s best home record with only one loss at Target Center this season. Minnesota’s offensive and defensive metrics are among the best in the WNBA, leading in offensive rating (108.6), defensive rating (95.2), net rating (13.4), assists, field goal percentage, and blocks. Napheesa Collier, the All-Star Game MVP and league scoring leader at 23.5 points per game, has been the cornerstone of Minnesota’s success. Alongside her, guards Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride provide scoring and playmaking prowess, combining for nearly 100 three-pointers this season.
The Liberty, sitting second in the standings at 17-8, have been a force offensively as well. Led by Sabrina Ionescu, who averages 19.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, New York tops the league in points per game (87.7) and steals. However, the team has been hampered by injuries to key players such as Breanna Stewart, who suffered a leg injury recently, and Nyara Sabally, sidelined with knee discomfort. Stewart’s availability for Wednesday remains uncertain, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the Liberty’s frontcourt depth. Jonquel Jones, the 2024 Finals MVP, returned from an ankle injury just days ago but has played only 13 games this season.
Coach Cheryl Reeve expressed frustration not just about the lingering sting of last year’s Finals but also about the timing of the first matchup this season. “I think common sense would say that those two teams probably should have played earlier in the season,” Reeve said, calling the late scheduling a “big miss” for the league and fans. Lynx star Napheesa Collier agreed, suggesting the teams should have met in the season opener, which could have set the tone and even spoiled New York’s championship ring ceremony.
Adding another layer to the rivalry is the recent signing of Emma Meesseman by the Liberty. The 2019 Finals MVP, who has been dominating in European leagues and led Belgium to two EuroBasket titles, opted to join New York over Minnesota and Phoenix. Reeve was candid about Meesseman’s decision, saying bluntly, “She made the wrong choice.” Meesseman’s arrival in New York is pending a visa application, so she will not suit up for Wednesday’s game but is expected to bolster the Liberty’s frontcourt in the coming weeks alongside Stewart and Jones.
Statistically, the matchup is compelling. Minnesota averages 85.9 points per game, outpacing the 80.6 points New York typically allows. The Lynx have a 17-3 record when scoring above that threshold. On the flip side, New York’s potent offense averages 87.7 points, which is 12.3 points more than Minnesota’s stingy defensive average of 75.4 points allowed. Both teams have shown slight shifts in recent form, with Minnesota scoring marginally more in their last 10 games, while the Liberty’s three-point shooting percentage has improved to 36.5% over the same span.
Injuries continue to shape the Liberty’s lineup decisions. Without Stewart, Sabally, and Kennedy Burke—who has been a key contributor this season—the team has cycled through multiple starting lineups, with Natasha Cloud stepping up as a defensive stalwart and playmaker. The Liberty’s coach, Sandy Brondello, has had to adapt constantly, even starting Isabelle Harrison for the first time this season recently. The Lynx, meanwhile, have been relatively healthy but lost guard Karlie Samuelson for the season due to a foot injury.
Fans tuning in to ESPN at 8 p.m. ET will witness not just a game but a pivotal moment in the WNBA season. With the Lynx leading the standings and the Liberty chasing closely behind, this series of games could very well determine playoff seeding and momentum heading into the postseason. ESPN’s broadcast will feature Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe, bringing expert commentary to what promises to be an electrifying contest.
Looking ahead, the teams will meet again on August 10 at New York, August 16 back in Minnesota, and conclude the series on August 19 in New York. This grueling schedule will test depth, endurance, and strategic adjustments, with the Liberty aiming to defend their title and the Lynx seeking redemption and revenge.
As Napheesa Collier put it, “It doesn’t feel like a Finals rematch anymore honestly. It’s a new year for us. And it’s been so long, it’s almost August, so it’s just the two top teams going against each other. We prepare for them, like they’re a really great team, which they are.” The stakes are high, the rivalry fierce, and the WNBA’s best ready to battle it out once again.
