Minnesota Lynx Shock New York Liberty in Overtime Thriller to Claim Game 1 of WNBA Finals

In a breathtaking display of resilience, the Minnesota Lynx stunned the New York Liberty with a thrilling 95-93 overtime victory in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night in Brooklyn. This stunning win sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying series.

The Liberty came out strong in the first quarter, spearheaded by power forward Jonquel Jones, who scored 10 of New York’s 32 points, ultimately finishing the game with a commanding 24 points. The Liberty jumped to a significant 32-19 lead as they showcased their offensive prowess early in the match.

As the second quarter began, New York continued to dominate, launching a 7-0 run that extended their lead to 18 points. The Lynx, however, started to chip away at the deficit, managing to bring the score to 44-36 by halftime, thanks to a late surge that indicated they weren’t ready to back down.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Lynx’s offense ignited, making their first four shots to close the gap further. The game became a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with Minnesota guard Kayla McBride, who tallied 22 points, playing a crucial role in the Lynx’s comeback. Minnesota scored 12 consecutive points, narrowing the Liberty’s lead to just three with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter.

With the Liberty leading 83-80 and time winding down, Lynx guard Courtney Williams missed a three-pointer but recovered the ball after an offensive rebound. She hit her second attempt while being fouled by Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu. Williams converted the free throw, giving Minnesota an 84-83 lead—their first of the game.

New York had one final chance to secure an early series lead, putting the ball in the hands of star forward Breanna Stewart. As the clock ran out, Stewart was fouled under the basket, earning two free throws. She made the first but missed the second, forcing the game into overtime. Stewart’s frustration was palpable as she walked back to the bench, clearly disappointed with the missed opportunity.

The overtime period marked the sixth overtime game in WNBA Finals history and did not disappoint. The Lynx took an early four-point lead as the Liberty struggled to find their rhythm. Jones, however, stepped up for New York, making a crucial steal and layup to tie the game at 93-93 with less than 25 seconds remaining.

Napheesa Collier, the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and a proven clutch performer, made her presence felt when it mattered most. With just 8.8 seconds left in the overtime and the score tied, Collier sank a turnaround jumper, silencing the Barclays Center crowd and sealing the victory for Minnesota.

Collier finished the game with 21 points and reflected on her team’s ability to push through fatigue following their recent semifinal win. “You can’t think about it,” she stated in an interview with ESPN. “It’s the Finals. No one cares you’re tired. You can’t asterisk that we had a loss because we just played, so we just got to find a way to push through and not think about it.”

The Lynx’s comeback from an 18-point deficit ties the record for the largest comeback in WNBA Finals history, previously set by the Liberty in 1999. The Liberty, still seeking their first league championship, have now lost in the Finals five times. In contrast, the Lynx, with four championships to their name, are aiming for a league-record fifth title.

As anticipation builds for Game 2, set for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, both teams will be looking to seize momentum. The Lynx’s stunning win not only puts them ahead in the series but also showcases their fighting spirit and determination as they strive for glory in the WNBA Finals.