Last night the Minnesota Lynx took care of business with a big 88-77 win against the Connecticut Suns. They were led by Napheesa Collier, who finished the game with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. The final score was much closer than the actual game was, as the Lynx led 53-34 at the half and really were never threatened the rest of the game. That win secured them a place in the WNBA Finals, their first since winning the franchise’s fourth championship in 2017. Their opponent, the New York Liberty, has been patiently waiting to see who they would face since eliminating the Las Vegas Aces on Oct. 6. We are in for a good one as this WNBA Finals is a matchup of the two top seeds.
The case for the Liberty
The Liberty have been the best team all season. They only lost eight games in the regular season, and they were the number one offense in the league. They also have the best duo in the league in Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. Since entering the league, Ionescu has been one of the best shooters in the entire league, and her 107 made 3s this season are a testament to that. Stewart is already a Hall of Fame lock, so everybody knows what she brings to the table. Throw in Jonquel Jones — a former MVP herself — combined with the experience the team got from last year’s WNBA Finals, it’s no surprise the Liberty are heading into the Finals as favorites.
The case for the Lynx
The Lynx finished the regular season as the Number 2 seed and the best defensive team in the league. They suffocate teams on that side of the ball. Even the Liberty was no exception to that — at least in the regular season. Of the eight total losses the Liberty had, three of them came from matchups with the Lynx. Their last matchup came in September, and despite Stewart going off for 38, they still lost — which is very scary for the Liberty. The Lynx are just not a good matchup for the Liberty, and it starts with the Defensive Player of the Year, Collier. If the Liberty have the best duo this postseason, without question the best player in the playoffs is Collier. Collier is averaging 27.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, nearly a 30-10 double-double.
Prediction
Everything is pointing to the New York Liberty to finally bring home the first championship in franchise history. They have marched through the playoffs pretty easily up until this point, and they have WNBA Finals experience from last year’s matchup against the Aces. Unfortunately, they will have to wait at least another season to raise the WNBA trophy. The Minnesota Lynx will win the WNBA championship. They have the best player in the postseason and arguably the best player in the WNBA in Collier. She has dominated everybody — including the Liberty — all season, and that won’t change in the finals because the Liberty simply don’t have anyone who can match up with her physically. They already have the Liberty’s number, beating them three times this season. And the Achilles heel of the Liberty? When the game gets physical and rough, their dynamic duo tends to falter and fold. Collier might’ve missed out on some much-deserved regular season MVP votes, but the WNBA Finals MVP will more than make up for that.
Minnesota Lynx in 4.
