New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx set to face off in WNBA Finals

The Liberty are chasing their first-ever championship, while the Lynx, aiming for their fifth, hope to return to their former glory.

The Liberty advanced to the Finals for the second straight year after toppling the two-time reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces, in the semifinals. This marks New York’s fifth appearance in the Finals, with each previous attempt ending in heartbreak. Despite their rich history, the Liberty are still seeking that elusive first title, having fallen short in four previous Finals, including last season against Las Vegas.

Their opponents, the Minnesota Lynx, return to the Finals for the first time since 2017, when they captured their fourth championship in seven years. Minnesota fought through a grueling five-game semifinal series against Connecticut, clinching their spot with a decisive win at home. Now, the Lynx are looking to reclaim their spot atop the WNBA mountain.

Game 1 of the best-of-five Finals tips off on Thursday, leaving the Lynx with minimal time to recover after their hard-fought semifinal. Despite the tight schedule, Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve remains unfazed.

“Regarding the schedule, it’s irrelevant. No one is going to sympathize with us,” Reeve said. “We need to get back to playing immediately, and that is what we will do.”

This is not the first time these two teams have met with a championship on the line this season. The Lynx defeated the Liberty to claim the Commissioner’s Cup title in June, adding extra intrigue to this Finals matchup. However, the Liberty are determined to avoid a similar fate and finally break their championship drought.

“We have yet to achieve anything,” said Liberty star Breanna Stewart, reflecting on the team’s journey to the Finals after their emotional win over Las Vegas. Stewart, who recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in the series-clinching victory, made it clear that the Liberty are hungry for more.

Throughout the regular season, the Liberty have been a team on a mission. Their urgency and focus propelled them to the best record in the league, earning them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

“We reached the Finals last year,” Stewart added. “And we accomplished nothing.”

Meanwhile, the Lynx are confident heading into the Finals, having defeated the Liberty twice in three regular-season matchups, including their Commissioner’s Cup victory. Minnesota star Napheesa Collier, named the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and a runner-up for MVP, believes her team is up for the challenge.

“The regular season holds little significance; they are an exceptional team,” Collier said. “This series promises to be thrilling, showcasing outstanding basketball with two teams featuring remarkable players.”

Collier and her teammates are chasing history, as three more wins would make the Lynx the first WNBA franchise to capture five championships, surpassing the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm.

The Finals will open with two games in New York before the series shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4. However, Game 4 on Friday, October 18, could see a venue conflict, as the Minnesota Timberwolves are scheduled to host the Denver Nuggets in a preseason NBA matchup that same evening, with both teams sharing the Target Center.

With history on the line for both teams, the WNBA Finals promise to deliver an unforgettable showdown.