We all know that the Commissioner’s Cup final did not count toward the season standings or individual statistics. Whether it should have or not is for another article. However, it counted very much for the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx.
I hope by now we can put aside the moniker of “super team.” While the Liberty holds the best record, two of their losses have come at the hands of the Lynx. Yeah, yeah, the second loss doesn’t count. Neither does the win for the Lynx. Connecticut, who started off red hot, has lost four games, as have the Lynx, then Seattle at six losses, and then the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions.
Las Vegas has had its share of troubles, and even with Chelsea Gray back in the line-up and a current winning streak of four, they’re still vulnerable. Everyone is.
Breakdown of the Lynx – Liberty Matchup
The Lynx come into Barclays Center knowing what they must do. After a loss to Dallas and a gritty win in Chicago, their fourth road game will be a good test of their collective mettle. The Liberty will also know that home court while providing a sense of comfort, is not always a guarantee of a win. Both of these teams are legitimate title contenders. While the season is close to halfway done, we might be starting to see a little bit of separation. Nothing about this season is predictable.
Two seasoned coaches like Cheryl Reeve and Sandy Brondello are probably not rattled. Even with the Liberty on top and the Lynx, to some, surprisingly in third, every game is important, regardless of where it is played. The Liberty win over Atlanta was not a cakewalk. The Lynx win over Chicago was a real grind, for both teams. Those games were a demonstration of the determination that the Lynx and the Liberty possess.
eyes on the prize. pic.twitter.com/AjSqTRXeiM
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 1, 2024
Each team has their share of marquee players. I might give a slight edge to the Lynx as far as their benches are concerned. Cecilia Zandalasini has become a solid, reliable substitute, and Dorka Juhász is much more mature and effective after her successful rookie season and summer in the Euroleague. Neither team is lacking in spirit, not at all. Each team has had games where some of their stars have not shown as brightly as they would have liked.
Final Thoughts
In many ways, these are two evenly matched-teams. One really must throw expectations out the window in order to get a clear picture of how the Lynx and the Liberty match up. Yes, Barclays Center will be a lot louder than UBS Arena, and the comfort of playing at home will add something for the Liberty. But the Lynx didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. This is a mission-driven team, not necessarily to prove anything to anyone except perhaps themselves.
What I appreciate about both of these teams is that neither is prone to excuses. They come to play no matter what. With this being their third meeting, it is clear what these teams need to do. I for one am eager to see how that translates onto the court.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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