Minnesota Lynx Triumph Over Liberty 100-93, But It’s More Than Just a Win
It was Wednesday night at the Target Center, and the Minnesota Lynx reminded the WNBA why they’re top of the ladder. Honestly, if this were a Netflix series, this episode would be titled “Revenge Served Hot.” The Lynx outlasted the New York Liberty 100-93 in what can loosely be described as a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Only this time, they came out on top.
Napheesa Collier is THAT Player
Napheesa Collier, take a bow. The Lynx superstar dropped 30 points like it was her day job (well, technically, it is). She didn’t just light up the stat sheet, though. Her play screamed, “If you think last year’s Finals loss is haunting us, think again.”
When the Liberty trimmed the Minnesota’s lead down to four with about a minute on the clock, Collier responded with a classic and-one drive to the rim. The timing was clutch, the finish smooth, and the energy electric. It was the basketball equivalent of shutting down a pretentious coworker in a meeting and walking out with everyone’s respect.
Kayla McBride Shows Up Big, Again
Collier was far from alone in this one. Kayla McBride came through with 24 points and 5 assists, threading the line between deadly shooter and floor general. For a player who doesn’t always get the headlines she deserves, this game highlighted just how crucial she is to Minnesota’s success.
McBride said afterward, “This wasn’t about New York. This was about protecting our home court.” Translation? She and the Lynx couldn’t care less about the Finals narratives or Sabrina Ionescu’s Twitter engagement rates. They came to do a job, and boy, did they deliver.
The Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu? Dangerous, but Not Enough
Sabrina Ionescu deserves her flowers for the performance she put in under the circumstances. She poured in 31 points and kept the Liberty competitive despite missing key star Breanna Stewart. Without Stewart’s 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, the Liberty were walking into this matchup like a knight missing their shield. Ionescu’s effort? Heroic. But you can’t win battles with just a sword (not in the WNBA, at least).
Unfortunately for New York, defense wasn’t on their side. The Liberty allowed Minnesota to shoot nearly 50% from the field. That included a scalding 15-of-31 from beyond the arc. Add to that Courtney Williams’ wizardry with 13 assists, and suddenly, Sabrina’s efforts start looking more like putting out a forest fire with a garden hose.
What Does This Win Mean for the Minnesota Lynx?
This was more than a game; it was a statement. The Lynx are now 23-5, sitting pretty at the top of the standings with a comfortable lead. If there were any doubts about their legitimacy this season, Wednesday night erased them.
But it’s not all smooth sailing from here. Minnesota is about to enter the WNBA version of the “Hunger Games,” with three more games against New York in the near future. Oh, and feel free to toss in matchups against Las Vegas, Seattle, and Washington while you’re at it. This schedule could break lesser teams, but the Lynx? They seem ready for all the smoke.
The Bigger Picture
What’s most impressive about the Lynx this season isn’t just the wins; it’s how they’ve responded to last year’s heartbreak. Coach Cheryl Reeve has the team locked in. You get the sense that even if the franchise were transported to a Mad Max-style wasteland, the Lynx would still find ways to run offensive sets.
Collier hinted postgame that while fans are fantasizing about another Finals matchup, this team is entirely focused on the grind ahead. “We’re not looking at that yet. We’ve got a lot of basketball to play,” she said.
Wise words, but if we’re being honest, a Lynx-Liberty Finals redo feels inevitable. And if Game 5 last year served as an appetizer, this year’s potential seven-game set might just be the feast WNBA fans deserve.
Next Steps for the Lynx
Mark your calendars, Lynx Nation. The rematches against New York will be appointment viewing. For now, Minnesota stays firmly as the league’s team to beat, with Collier and McBride holding the championship blueprint in their hands. This win solidifies one thing we already knew – the road to the WNBA Finals goes through Minnesota.
Whether you love them or love to hate them, the Lynx are better than your team. Don’t @ me.
