WNBA Finals rating and dwell updates: Minnesota Lynx come again to beat New York Liberty in OT
NEW YORK — The New York Liberty had Recreation 1 within the palm of their arms.
Up 15 factors with 5:20 to play on their dwelling court docket, dealing with a Minnesota Lynx group that had simply gone to 5 video games in opposition to the Connecticut Solar and didn’t actually have a likelihood to follow earlier than the WNBA Finals, the Liberty merely needed to put the ending touches on a cushty series-opening victory.
As an alternative, the Lynx clawed again and stole an absolute heartbreaker from New York. Courtney Williams gave Minnesota its first lead of the sport on a four-point play with 5.5 seconds to play, oddly approaching an offensive rebound on an evening when the Lynx have been in any other case destroyed on the glass.
The Liberty pressured time beyond regulation, however the momentum had switched. Minnesota took a fast four-point lead in time beyond regulation, and 2024 Defensive Participant of the 12 months Napheesa Collier closed it out with a jumper and stout protection on Breanna Stewart on the opposite finish.
It’s the primary WNBA Finals sequence that includes UConn greats main their respective groups, and the youthful Collier acquired the higher of her former mentor and future Unequalled enterprise companion Stewart because the Lynx got here away with a surprising 95-93 win in time beyond regulation.
The sport deciding shot by Napheesa Collier is NASTY 😈
THE @minnesotalynx TAKE GAME 1 OF THE #WNBAFinals introduced by @YouTubeTV WITH A FINAL SCORE OF 95-93 pic.twitter.com/4DO4NXLoG5
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024
Minnesota turned to a small lineup down the stretch, changing middle Alanna Smith with level guard Natisha Hiedeman, and the change flustered New York. The Lynx have been already struggling to rebound, so downsizing didn’t add any further issues on the glass, whereas the tempo juiced their offense.
The Liberty couldn’t defend 5 shooters, and Minnesota hit jumpers on six of the subsequent 9 possessions to shut the hole.
New York didn’t make the most of its dimension benefit inside, as Jonquel Jones couldn’t get sufficient touches on the ultimate possessions. As soon as the Lynx have been in placing distance, that they had the arrogance of a group that went 3-1 in opposition to the Liberty previous to the finals, together with a win on this court docket lower than one month in the past.
Williams led the way in which with 23 factors, adopted intently by Kayla McBride’s 22 and Collier’s 21. Hiedeman chipped in ten off the bench, and Minnesota totaled 9 blocks and eight steals to just do sufficient to comprise New York’s offense within the closing minutes. The Lynx take a 1-0 sequence lead into Recreation 2 on Sunday.
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(Photograph: Elsa / Getty Photographs)
