Lynx-Liberty ending, explained: How Minnesota pulled off record-tying comeback win in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

By | October 10, 2024
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Those who tuned into Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Lynx and the Liberty were presented with one of the greatest games in the league’s glimmering history.

Minnesota and New York spun a tale for posterity, turning the Barclays Center hardwood into an amphitheater. For the thousands who packed into the colosseum’s concourses, it was a matchup that won’t soon be forgotten.

The game proved a clash of titans. That’s to be expected when the likes of Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and, Kayla McBride are sharing the floor, among others.

In the end, the result was decided in the game’s final moments; the Lynx found a way to vanquish their Big Apple adversaries in overtime, 95-93.

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Here’s how it happened:

Lynx-Liberty ending, explained: How Minnesota pulled off record-tying comeback

The Liberty looked in cruise control with five minutes left, owners of a 15-point advantage over their weary Lynx opposition. With a harrowing advantage on the offensive boards and the timely shooting of Leonie Fiebich, New York appeared poised to secure a decisive Game 1 win.

That is, until Courtney Williams had her say.

Minnesota stormed back from 15 down, fueled by impressive long-distance shooting, a spate of New York clanks, and Williams, a former WNBA All-Star whose game is eerily similar to that of another languid scorer: Jamal Crawford.

Williams found life in the game’s final two minutes, scoring eight of the Lynx’s last 10 points to power their comeback efforts.

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The pick of the bunch came in regulation’s final moments. Alanna Smith retrieved an unruly shot attempt and found Williams, who proceeded to launch an effort from distance just as an onrushing Ionescu collided with her.

The result? Bottoms. Williams sank her triple, evening things up with 5.1 seconds left. She wasn’t done yet, as Williams connected on her subsequent free throw attempt, giving Minnesota its first lead of the game.

New York scrambled to find an equalizer of its own. Stewart saw her layup attempt turn to ashes after Collier, mere moments after referees (perhaps incorrectly) labeled a deflection that landed on Stewart’s foot as being worthy of a jump ball.

With a second left in regulation, the Liberty needed a prayer. They got it when Collier controversially was whistled for making contact with Stewart’s arm right before the final buzzer sounded. Stewart was headed to the free throw line with a chance to win the game for New York.

The 83.6-percent career FT shooter saw her first effort hit the target. The second spurned its grasp, circling around the rim before falling out. The game was tied at 84 apiece.

And we were headed into overtime.

The tenor of the extra period was similar to that of the prior five or so minutes. Minnesota found nylon more times than not. The Liberty struggled to find a rhythm. Williams continued to prove a nuisance for defenders, slaloming across the parquet terrain for another five points in OT.

Collier, already brimming with confidence after tallying six blocks in regulation, flashed her impressive offensive chops in the final frame, sinking a layup over Stewart to kick off the OT scoring.

She finished matters in a similar way, pulling off a one-legged stepback over Jones (and all of her 6-6 frame) to give Minnesota a two-point advantage with 8.1 seconds left on the clock.

Stewart had one last chance to make up for her end-of-quarter gaffe. The two-time MVP carved out some room for herself, coming face-to-face with the rim after sidestepping past Collier.

Then, she biffed the layup; Stewart’s attempt strayed wide. The buzzer blared. And the Lynx were victors, having tied the record for largest comeback in WNBA Finals history to do so.

The Liberty will look to atone for their missteps and even up the series on Sunday when Game 2 tips off at 3 p.m. ET.

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