In a thrilling opening game of the WNBA Finals, the Minnesota Lynx pulled off an extraordinary comeback, defeating the top-seeded New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime on Thursday night. The Barclays Center crowd, a packed house of 17,732, was left in shock as two-time Finals MVP Breanna Stewart missed a driving layup at the final buzzer.
A Comeback for the Ages
The Lynx, seeded No. 2, overcame a daunting 18-point deficit in the second quarter and later wiped out a 15-point gap with just over five minutes left in regulation.This remarkable uprising matched the greatest comeback in WNBA Finals history.
Entering Thursday’s game, teams trailing by 15 or more points in the final five minutes of playoff games had a 0-183 record. However, Minnesota defied the odds, flipping a near-certain Liberty win into an unforgettable triumph.
Courtney Williams was one of the standouts, leaving the court flexing and shouting, "Two more," signaling the Lynx's focus on clinching two more wins to capture their fifth championship.
Dramatic Final Moments
With 5:20 remaining in regulation, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sank a three-pointer, giving the Liberty an 81-66 lead and a seemingly insurmountable 99.2% win probability, according to ESPN Analytics. Yet, the Lynx staged a dramatic 18-3 run to close out the fourth quarter, with Williams completing a four-point play that put Minnesota ahead 84-83 with 5.5 seconds left. Sabrina Ionescu fouled Williams while she was sinking a three-pointer, and her successful free throw pushed the Lynx into their first lead of the game.
Stewart managed to draw a foul with 0.8 seconds on the clock, making her first free throw to tie the game but missing the second, sending the contest into overtime.
Mental Toughness on Display
In light of the victory, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve commended her group's tenacity. "I believe that defines our group perfectly," she said.. You must be self-aware, mentally tough, and encouraging to one another. That was the thing we did this evening.
Stewart, who is leading New York in their bid for their first-ever championship, expressed optimism despite the loss. "This is a series," she noted. Although we have a further match on Sunday, we will be prepared. We were looking for victory for home court.
Key Contributions and Game Dynamics
Minnesota’s victory was marked by big swings in momentum. New York jumped out to a 32-19 lead after the first quarter and extended the gap to 18 in the second quarter, Minnesota's largest deficit of the postseason. The Lynx, however, clawed their way back, trimming the Liberty's lead to 44-36 by halftime.
Lynx star Napheesa Collier highlighted the team’s defensive focus during timeouts, emphasizing the importance of chipping away at the lead one possession at a time. “We really lean on our defense in those moments,” Collier said.
The game saw three Lynx players score at least 20 points, a franchise first in Finals play. Kayla McBride led with 22 points, including four critical three-pointers, while Collier contributed 21 points, six blocks, and three steals. Williams shined with 15 points, scoring crucial buckets in the fourth quarter and overtime, and was the hero of the night with her game-shifting four-point play.
Liberty Struggles and Reflections
The Liberty, who entered the Finals undefeated at home this postseason, could not maintain their early dominance. They hit 13 three-pointers and received a stellar 24-point, 10-rebound double-double from Jonquel Jones, but their efforts were undermined by Minnesota's late surge. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello lamented her team’s lack of composure, admitting, "We can't play to 'not lose,' and I think we started doing that."
Ionescu also reflected on the loss, saying, "We took our foot off the gas and started looking at the clock too much. We have to be better."
Despite their strong start, New York’s errors in execution allowed Minnesota to seize control late in the game. Brondello acknowledged that Minnesota’s aggressive defense disrupted the Liberty's rhythm. "They were blowing up our plays. We were stuck because we could not get clean passes," she remarked.
Overtime Victory
Minnesota controlled most of the overtime period, with Collier sinking what proved to be the game-winner — a fadeaway jumper from near the top of the key with 8.8 seconds left. The Lynx enjoyed a valiant win as Stewart's missed layup effectively ended the Liberty's chances of winning.
Stewart persevered while having trouble late in the game. "I hope to have taking these visuals," she said."I will keep being proactive even though it annoys me since I know that other people think well of me."
Looking Ahead
The Lynx’s gritty performance in Game 1 underscored their championship pedigree, as they now stand just two wins away from claiming their first title since 2017. Meanwhile, the Liberty, known for their Finals appearances without a championship, now face the longest Game 1 losing streak (0-6) in any postseason series in league history.
Both teams will reconvene in Brooklyn for Game 2 on Sunday, with New York looking to bounce back and Minnesota aiming to maintain their momentum in the best-of-five series. Game 3, and if necessary, Game 4, will take place in Minneapolis.
The stage is set for what promises to be a fiercely competitive series.
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