It was finally here: the WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship game. The two teams that advanced to the championship game were the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty. This was the first for the Lynx and the second for the Liberty.
Despite the Liberty hosting their opponents, the game was not played on their home floor, the Barclays Center. Due to the NBA Draft taking place the following day, it was played at UBS Arena instead.
Minnesota remained without Diamond Miller, so Bridget Carleton continued to start in her place. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton made her return after missing the last three games due to a knee injury. Courtney Vandersloot also made her return after missing the previous eight games due to the loss of her mother.
Game Recap
The Lynx got off to a 7-2 start before New York answered with a 14-4 run to lead by 5. Vandersloot came off the bench and got nothing but cheers from her team and the crowd. Everyone was happy to see her back and wanted to win the Commissioner's Cup for her and her family.
Minnesota was able to tie the game before New York went on a 7-0 run to increase the lead. Despite the Liberty going on a few runs, they turned the ball over five times, leading to seven Lynx points. Both teams shot over 50% from the field in the first quarter.
One of the reasons why Minnesota has been so good this season so far is because of their bench.
Cecelia Zandalasini came off the bench and immediately got the Lynx back in the game, scoring the following 10 points for the team.
The Lynx were able to retake the lead briefly before the Liberty went on a 13-4 run to extend it. They led by as many as 10 points, the team's largest lead at the time. The game became close again as Minnesota closed the first half on a 10-3 run.
Sabrina Ionescu had 18 points in the first half, with 11 of them in the second quarter. Kayla Thorton also had 14 first-half points, with nine of them in the second quarter. She was 4/6 from the three-point line.
Critical factors in Minnesota's win over New York
Defense was the story of the second half, especially in the third quarter. Minnesota was able to retake the lead and keep New York from getting into any rhythm on offense. It was a back-and-forth game until Minnesota ended the quarter on a 9-3 to extend their lead to six.
New York was held to just 10 points, with six of them coming from the free-throw line. They struggled to get Jonquel Jones involved, who was scoreless for the first three quarters. She got her first points late in the game at the free-throw line.
Turnovers were also a huge story, as New York struggled to control the ball all game. Twenty turnovers by the Liberty led to 27 points for the Lynx.
Minnesota led by as many as ten before Breanna Stewart went on a personal 9-0 run to cut it to one. Minnesota immediately answered with a 10-3 run to once again increase their lead. New York was able to cut the lead by going on a 12-3 run, but time was not on their side, and Kayla McBride hit the free throws to seal the game.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Kayla Thorton finished with 17 points, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton finished with 13 points. Jonquel Jones led the team with 12 rebounds and had three steals.
Watch out for the Lynx
With Minnesota winning the Commissioner's Cup, this is the third straight year where the away team has taken the win. Napheesa Collier was named the Commissioner's Cup MVP. She finished with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.
Bridget Carleton led the Lynx with 23 points on 80% FG, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Cecelia Zandalasini finished with 15 points in 11 minutes on 83.3% FG. She also had two steals. Birthday girl Kayla McBride finished with 12 points. Courtney Williams finished with 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
This win showed that the Minnesota Lynx deserved to be talked about and that they were not to be messed up. They have superstars, and their bench is just as good while being led by legendary head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Photo Courtesy: @minnesotalynx/X
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