“We didn’t come out with the urgency we would have liked or would have expected.” – Sandy Brondello. The New York Liberty did everything they could do in the fourth quarter to try and reverse what quarters one, two, and three imposed upon them. Close, but not enough, and the Minnesota Lynx took the win Sunday afternoon at Barclay Center 88-79.
The Lynx dominated in quarters one and three, with an even battle in the 2nd. But fueled by Breanna Stewart‘s 38-point game, the Liberty managed to get within 7 points in the fourth, only to be thwarted by a Kayla McBride timely 3-pointer. New York would get no closer.
Aside from Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 13, no one else for the Liberty got to double figures. Their bench proved to be ineffective, coming away with only 12 points. Minnesota had five players in double figures; Napheesa Collier with 18, Bridget Carleton had 19, Courtney Williams with 15, Myisha Hines-Allen with 12, and McBride with 11.
Minnesota’s defense, save for a large portion of the 4th quarter, simply thwarted whatever the Liberty tried to do. Although the Lynx watched a 26-point shrink at one point, they managed to keep the Liberty at arm’s length, rallying at the end of the game for the win. Minnesota held New York to 39.1% shooting while garnering 53% for themselves.
A Lynx -Liberty WNBA Finals?
Was this game a precursor to a potential finals pairing? After this game, it is a distinct possibility. Including the Commissioner’s Cup game, Minnesota has beaten New York three times this season. New York has only lost seven games and has held the No. 1 position for quite some time. Minnesota, according to early predictions, wasn’t supposed to be where they are now. They’ve taken down New York, Las Vegas twice, and 3-4 from Seattle.
HOW WE FEELIN’ LYNX FANS?? pic.twitter.com/TMdFGoCVOU
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 15, 2024
They’ve jockeyed some with the Connecticut Sun for 2nd and 3rd place but now hold a two-game lead at 2nd place. Both New York and Minnesota have two games remaining. New York would have to drop both and Minnesota win both for the Lynx to take the No. 1 spot. If Minnesota and Connecticut tie, Connecticut moves to 2nd because of owning the season series. There are still permutations of how the final standings will look, and may very well not be decided until the final games.
Minnesota is going to have to bring four quarters of their best game to finally beat Connecticut. Given the performance against the Liberty (save the fourth quarter) there is no reason that they will not be able to do so. They will end their season at home versus Los Angeles. New York travels to Washington and then finishes at home against Atlanta. Hard to imagine New York not at the top. The rest of it is its own version of musical chairs, with no room for error. We’ll know at the end of Thursday night who sang the best tune.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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