Liberty Rally to Even WNBA Finals Against Lynx

The New York Liberty bounced back impressively in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 80-66 to even the series at 1-1 on Sunday. After a surprising loss in the first game, the top-seeded Liberty demonstrated resilience, aiming for the franchise’s first championship title.

Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart led the charge for New York with an outstanding performance, scoring 21 points while adding eight rebounds, five assists, and setting a WNBA Finals single-game record with seven steals. Forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton contributed significantly with a season-high 20 points, showcasing the team’s depth.

Sabrina Ionescu, the former No. 1 overall pick, had a strong showing after a challenging Game 1. She ignited the Liberty early, netting 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first quarter, helping New York establish a 31-21 lead. Ionescu ended the game with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals, solidifying her impact on the court.

Minnesota attempted to close the gap, with Natisha Hiedeman hitting a three-pointer to reduce the deficit to six points early in the second quarter. However, the Liberty quickly responded with a decisive 10-0 run, widening their lead back to 17 points before halftime, ultimately finishing the half ahead 49-39.

The Lynx, undeterred, came out fighting in the second half. Forward Alanna Smith sparked a rally, helping to cut New York’s lead to just four points in the third quarter. But Stewart answered the call, scoring four crucial points and delivering a key block that stymied Minnesota’s momentum, allowing the Liberty to maintain control as they entered the final quarter.

As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Lynx sought to replicate their late-game heroics from Game 1, where they had mounted a stunning comeback from 15 points down. Led by Game 1 standout Courtney Williams and 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, Minnesota trimmed the lead to just 66-64 with 5:36 left in the game.

However, New York decisively shut down the Lynx’s comeback efforts, finishing the game on a 14-2 run. The Liberty’s strong closing performance was electrifying, played out in front of a record crowd of 18,040 at the Barclays Center. “I mean, I couldn’t wait to come back here Sunday and kind of change the narrative a little bit,” Stewart said in a post-game interview on ABC. She emphasized the team’s collective focus and resilience: “We’re not panicked. We just continue to play together, play hard. We know a lot of the things that happened today happened in the last game, but we continued to be resilient and played through it.”

In Game 1, the Lynx had shocked the Liberty, overcoming an 18-point deficit and taking the lead in the final moments thanks to Williams’ dramatic four-point play. In that game, Stewart was also pivotal, earning a chance to send the game into overtime with free throws but ultimately made only one of two attempts.

In the Game 2 loss, Collier led Minnesota with 16 points, while Williams contributed 15 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Lynx couldn’t replicate their Game 1 success against a revitalized Liberty team.

The series now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Wednesday. As the Lynx continue their pursuit of a record-breaking fifth WNBA championship, the stakes have never been higher for both teams. The Liberty will look to build on their momentum and take the series lead, while Minnesota aims to bounce back on their home court. With the championship on the line, both teams are expected to deliver an intense and thrilling matchup.