WNBA Finals 2024: The Liberty vs Lynx Showdown

We are now down to the last 2 teams standing in the WNBA. This is by far the most watched, the most talked about, and the most fan-captivating WNBA season ever. With two protagonists – the top-seed New York Liberty and the second seed Minnesota Lynx – locking horns to decide who will be crowned this year’s queen of the pack.

As if to highlight the league’s intensity and excitement, the Minnesota Lynx completed a historic rally in edging out the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime last Thursday. This game marked the opening of this year’s WNBA Finals. The final few seconds of regulation were a heart-stopper. Clawing back from a huge deficit which ballooned to 18 points at one point, the Lynx’ Courtney Williams converted on a 4-pt play with 5.5 seconds left to give Minnesota its first-ever lead. A few seconds later, Liberty’s Breanna Stewart had a chance at redemption, going to the foul line for 2 free throws for the win. Only to miss her second free throw, and thus, forcing an overtime. Finally in extended time, the Lynx did just enough to outlast the seemingly dazed Liberty. With that, the Minnesota Lynx became the first team in WNBA history to overhaul a 15-pt lead in the last 5 minutes to squeeze the win in this sizzling playoff action.

This 5-game Finals series will mark the last time the league will use a best-of-5 format. Starting next season, the league will be using the 7 game format in the playoffs. This is in response to the significant increase in fan interest that provides great impetus for an extension of the playoff wars.

This year’s WNBA playoffs had strictly followed the seedings, with the top 4 seeds – the New York Liberty (1), the Minnesota Lynx (2), the Connecticut Suns (3), and the Las Vegas Aces (4) – eliminating their respective dance partners – the Atlanta Dream (8), the Phoenix Mercury (7), the Indiana Fever (6) and the Seattle Storm (5) – with identical 2-0 wipe-offs. With the 4 remaining teams, the Lynx then would nose out the stubborn 3rd seed Connecticut Suns to win their semis series 3-2. The New York Liberty, on the other hand, would have a smoother ride, upending the defending champs and 4th seeds Las Vegas Aces 3-1. The semis bump-off of the Aces was extra sweet for the Liberty, who had lost to the Aces in the most recent 2023 Finals.

This year’s Finals will be fought fiercely, as shown by the first game slugfest. Coming from that space of collective pain and frustration from losing last year’s Finals – and having lost in all 5 Finals appearances in the league – the Liberty is now super-focused and more determined to win their first title ever. It will be 2-time MVP Breanna Stewart and 3-pt specialist Sabrina Ionescu providing the inside-outside tag team, with another former MVP Jonquel Jones providing more muscle underneath in this well-oiled Liberty offensive.

As for the Lynx, their ship is anchored on Defensive Player of the Year awardee and MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier. Providing steady back-up will be Williams, Bridget Carleton and Kayla McBride. The Lynx may be low in star power, but they have a much deeper bench and a more solid defensive line. The Lynx, however, are no strangers to the Finals, having won the crown 4 times before (in 2011,’13, ’15 and ‘17).

The Liberty romped off with the best record in the regular season (32-8), with the Lynx taking 2nd (30-10). However, the Lynx had a 3-1 advantage over the Liberty in the 4 clashes they had in the regular season. Plus they beat the Liberty 94-89 in the abbreviated in-season Commissioner’s Cup last June. The Liberty are lethal in offense. The Lynx are dominant in defense. This finals series will be a contrast in styles, and it will be the breaks of the game that will ultimately have a say on who wears the crown come coronation night.

Who do I think rides off to the sunset with the crown in tow? I’d say the Liberty are the favored team. But my heart goes to the Lynx. Starting the season with less than a handful of returning players, the Lynx were never considered a playoff team. Lo and behold! Not only did they exceed expectations, they cornered the Commish Cup and took the second seed by the end of the regular season. With no big stars except for Collier! Here’s a shoutout to coach Cheryl Reeve for having brought the team to heights above expectations.

So there you have it, folks. I’ve got the Lynx in 4!!!

This season has seen the surge in ticket sales and TV ratings primarily buoyed by the Caitlin Clark phenomenon. This has been the most extraordinary season ever, with spectacular attendance and viewership records broken, and with giant strides in national and international exposure. People are taking notice, and this season’s Finals are finally being followed by discerning fans as well. Folks, it looks like the WNBA is finally ready to soar!

Cover photo courtesy of Inquirer.net. Other pics courtesy of Legal Sports Betting, The Ringer, LA Times, YouTube, MPR News, Nets Daily and Marca.com. For a closer look, just click on the pics.