The series is all knotted up at one a piece as the Minnesota Lynx finally get their turn to host the 2024 WNBA finals.
It’s been a wild and crazy WNBA Finals so far. Almost any type of drama you can think of, it has happened just two games into this series. A go-ahead four-point play to wipe away an 18-point deficit. A crucial missed call(s) by the officials. Last second free throw drama. A roundhouse kick to the face.
Just remember to breath.
There is still plenty of game left to play before the 2024 WNBA champions are decided. The pivotal game three tips off today as we preview the action ahead.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Game Info
- Who: #2 Minnesota Lynx (1-1) vs. #1 New York Liberty (1-1)
- When: Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 PM CT
- Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, MN
- National TV: ESPN
What to Watch For
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
Phee Returning to Form
The brilliance of Napheesa Collier has been on full display throughout Minnesota’s postseason run. Prior to the current series against the Liberty, Collier was averaging 27.1 points on blistering .546/.450/.879 splits. After two games in New York, that has dipped to 19.0 points on .500/.375/1.00 splits. However impressive those numbers still are, the bar has rightfully been set higher for the 28-year-old superstar. It wasn’t long ago that she notched 40 points per game in the opening round after all. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, such as the game-high seven turnovers in game two.
Collier’s selfless brand of basketball has still paid dividends. It has allowed her teammates to stay involved and camouflage the Lynx’s offensive strategy. Courtney Williams’ 19 points per game leads the team in the finals, though Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith have also averaged double-digit scoring. Minnesota has more players attempting at least five field goals per game than New York. That said, it may behoove the Lynx to get the ball into Collier’s hands more late in the game. During Sunday’s loss, her last field goal attempt came with 5:36 remaining where she cut the Liberty lead down to just two points.
She never attempted a shot again.
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
Don’t Overreact — Keep Limiting Stewart
The two-time WNBA Finals MVP, Breanna Stewart, has not played much like herself. After averaging 20 points on 43.3% shooting in the first two rounds of the playoffs, she’s posting 19.5 points on just 33.3% field goal percentage. Surely, the defensive mastery of the current Defensive Player of the Year, Collier, has to do with that. There was buzz about Stewart’s WNBA Finals record seven steals on Sunday, but a lot of that had to do with the lackadaisical ball security of the Lynx (See: Collier’s seven turnovers).
Through the seven playoff games prior to game two, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was shooting 29.1% from the field, and 18.2% from perimeter. On Sunday, the floodgates opened as she shot a blistering 57.1% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc, including a career-high tying four triples. One of those was a devastating corner trey that began a 12-0 New York run to end the game. It’s possible that Laney-Hamilton is finally shaking off the rust after a mid-season knee scope, but it’s more likely that the one-time All-Star had her best game of the season, let alone the postseason. Now is not time for Minnesota to overreact to one game and lose their focus on holding both Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu to under 40% shooting. It may be wise for the Lynx to stay the course and force the role players to beat them.
Prediction
The Lynx home crowd is one of, if not the best, in the league. Target Center will be jumping and it will help sustain their energy to avoid digging another 18 or 17-point first quarter deficit. This will allow Minnesota to conserve more energy entering the final period when they can finally pull away as Collier posts a 30-ball.
Lynx win 85-77.