The Minnesota Lynx weren’t favored to win the Commissioner’s Cup, however they did simply that on the street on Tuesday, beating the New York Liberty, 94-89. It took a dominant third quarter, throughout which Minnesota held New York to only 10 factors, for the Lynx to achieve the benefit and management the sport.
The Lynx bought it performed because of the perfect efficiency of Bridget Carleton’s WNBA profession, which included 23 factors, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and three steals within the win. The Commissioner’s Cup MVP has been the Lynx’s MVP all season: Naphessa Collier. She scored 21 factors, grabbed six rebounds and was an ideal 6-for-6 from the free throw line and a flawless 3-for-3 from the 3-point line.
The victory not solely introduced {hardware} and bragging rights for Minnesota, but additionally {dollars}. The staff received $500,000, which will likely be divided among the many roster. The Lynx additionally earned an additional $10,000 for his or her chosen charity, Gender Justice, which focuses on advancing efforts for gender equality. The Liberty earned $5,000 for its charity, Ladies Creating Change.
The opening quarter was balanced, with the Liberty narrowly edging out the Lynx 27-23 after one. New York bought the lead because of a 7-3 scoring burst within the remaining 88 seconds of the body. Sabrina Ionescu led the cost, taking part in each minute of the primary and scoring seven of her 23 factors. The Lynx trailed by as many as 10 factors within the first half, however halfway via the second quarter, they went on a run to chop the deficit again down to only three factors, because of Collier and Carleton scoring 13 of the staff’s second-quarter factors.
With the sport even at 55 and 4:41 left within the third, the Lynx bought red-hot from deep, changing on three-consecutive 3-pointers to take management. With a six-point edge heading into the ultimate 10 minutes, Minnesota added to that lead with buckets by Natisha Hiedeman and Cecilia Zandalasini, prolong their benefit to 10. Nevertheless, the Liberty would not go quietly into the evening, as Breanna Stewart scored nine-consecutive factors to get the Liberty inside one level.
Minnesota was in a position to create separation as soon as once more with well timed baskets from Carleton, and Collier appeared to hit an important 3-pointer each time they wanted one. With underneath two minutes left, Carleton hit one from deep herself, and the Lynx had a cushty 11-point lead they might by no means relinquish. Whereas the Liberty stored chipping away, they ran out of time, shedding at dwelling and unable to defend their 2023 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Closing ideas
Yearly, the Commissioner’s Cup has served as a barometer for the league’s elite groups. For anybody nonetheless skeptical in regards to the Lynx, this victory ought to put you on discover. They beat the staff tied for the perfect document within the WNBA, and so they aren’t far behind themselves with the third-best document.
Collier is coming into her personal and coming into her prime. Position gamers like Carleton can explode anytime, and Kayla McBride continues to be a bucket. By the seems of it, the Lynx can have one thing to say about who wins all of it this yr, and taking part in them will likely be a matchup no staff will sit up for come playoff time.
