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A fresh WNBA champion is about to be crowned, as the Las Vegas Aces have been eliminated in the semifinals by the New York Liberty, who won the series 3-1. The Liberty now advance to face the Minnesota Lynx, who secured their spot by defeating the Connecticut Sun in a decisive Game 5.
The final showdown between the Liberty and the Lynx is set, with each team bringing unique strengths to the court. Minnesota clinched their spot in the championship by overpowering the Connecticut Sun with an 88-77 victory. Meanwhile, the Liberty dispatched the Aces, highlighting their strong form heading into the finals.
Anticipation is high for this series, especially given how both teams performed throughout the regular season and playoffs. New York boasts a powerhouse lineup featuring former MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, supported by the talented Courtney Vandersloot. On the other side, the Lynx have shown impressive resilience, being the only team to consistently challenge and defeat the Liberty this season, including a memorable victory in the Commissioner's Cup Championship.
The Lynx have been the Liberty's toughest opponents this season, defeating them three times, and they're the only team to have multiple wins against New York. This best-of-five series promises an exciting clash, as the Liberty might need to tweak their strategy to counter Minnesota's strengths, particularly in transition and offensive play.
New York's path to the title will be led by their star duo: Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Stewart, a versatile forward and two-time Finals MVP, will be pivotal as the Liberty chase their first championship. Ionescu, a sharpshooter with a postseason shooting split of 49/47/95, is equally crucial, capable of taking over games when she finds her rhythm.
Alongside Stewart and Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich contribute as consistent scorers, while Courtney Vandersloot provides valuable minutes off the bench. For Minnesota, Napheesa Collier, the current Defensive Player of the Year, leads the charge. Collier has been a dominant force in the postseason, averaging over 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Her supporting cast includes Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, and Alanna Smith, with Natisha Hiedeman and Myisha Hines-Allen adding depth from the bench.
In the regular season, the Lynx edged out the Liberty in their matchups, winning two out of three games. Here's a recap of their meetings:
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May 25: Lynx 84, Liberty 67 in Minnesota
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July 2: Liberty 76, Lynx 67 in New York
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Sept. 15: Lynx 88, Liberty 79 in New York
In their last encounter, Stewart scored an impressive 38 points for New York, while Minnesota countered with five players in double figures, led by Carleton's 19 and Collier's 18.
The 2024 WNBA Finals will unfold as follows:
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Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 10 - Minnesota at New York
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Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 13 - Minnesota at New York
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Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16 - New York at Minnesota
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Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18 - New York at Minnesota (if necessary)
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Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 20 - Minnesota at New York (if necessary)
This best-of-five series is sure to be a thrilling matchup as the Liberty and Lynx battle for the 2024 WNBA title.
