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The New York Liberty bounced back impressively from a shocking Game 1 defeat, overpowering the Minnesota Lynx 80-66 to even the WNBA Finals at one game apiece on Sunday. Leading the charge for the top-seeded Liberty was two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, who delivered a stellar performance with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and a WNBA Finals single-game record of seven steals. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton also made significant contributions, scoring a season-high 20 points.
Sabrina Ionescu, who struggled in the first game, found her rhythm early, scoring 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first quarter. She finished the game with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals, helping the Liberty secure a 31-21 lead after the opening period.
Liberty Responds to Lynx Challenges
Despite a spirited effort from the Lynx, who narrowed the gap to six points in the second quarter thanks to a three-pointer from Natisha Hiedeman, the Liberty responded decisively. They unleashed a 10-0 run, stretching their lead to as much as 17 points before heading into halftime with a 49-39 advantage.
In the second half, the Lynx fought back, with Alanna Smith igniting a rally that cut the deficit to four points. However, Stewart's timely basket and a critical block helped the Liberty maintain control.
The Lynx entered the fourth quarter looking for another late-game comeback, fueled by Courtney Williams and 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier. They managed to close the gap to 66-64 with 5:36 remaining.
Closing Strong
In a decisive turn, New York closed the game on a 14-2 run, quelling Minnesota’s hopes and sealing the victory in front of a franchise-record crowd of 18,046 at Barclays Center.
“I couldn’t wait to come back here Sunday and kind of change the narrative a little bit. We’re not panicked. We just continue to play together, play hard," Stewart said post-game.
In Game 1, the Lynx had shocked the Liberty by overcoming an 18-point deficit, with Williams hitting a dramatic four-point play to clinch the victory.
Lynx Struggle with Turnovers
In their attempt to secure a win, Minnesota was led by Collier's 16 points and Williams’ contributions of 15 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. However, 20 turnovers proved costly, allowing the Liberty to convert them into 26 points.
Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve noted, “Our offense was bad at a time when we really needed it. Our pace was slow… We put ourselves in position, just couldn’t get over the hump.”
Looking Ahead
With the series now tied, Game 3 is set for Wednesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis, where the Lynx will aim for their fifth WNBA championship. The Liberty, seeking their first title, remains in a strong position following their decisive win.
