WNBA
The Minnesota Lynx continued their revenge tour against the defending champion New York Liberty with an 86–80 win on Saturday afternoon, fueled by a season-best performance from Courtney Williams and a dagger three from Kayla McBride in the final minute. The victory extended Minnesota’s win streak to six and further cemented their status as the WNBA’s top team.
Saturday’s contest was more than just another regular season game. It was a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, in which the Liberty edged the Lynx 3–2 to capture their first-ever championship. Since then, however, Minnesota has dominated the head-to-head, winning three straight this season — a stretch that includes a perfect 17–1 home record.
Now 28–5 on the year, the Lynx are two wins shy of tying their franchise record for victories in a single season. Their recent stretch has been particularly impressive given the absence of MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, who missed her fourth consecutive game with an ankle injury. Minnesota is 4–0 during that span, thanks in large part to the leadership of Williams.
Williams stepped into the spotlight, finishing with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, five assists, and a slew of clutch buckets. Her pull-up midrange game and poise under pressure anchored the Lynx offense during tense stretches, especially as the Liberty made multiple runs to threaten Minnesota’s lead.
“Honestly, we down Phee,” Williams told CBS after the game, referring to Collier. “So, like I always say, somebody got to give a little bit more... when I’m feeling it, it’s a problem.”
Williams’ rhythm helped open up the floor for forwards Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith, who delivered a combined 31 points and 17 rebounds. Shepard added a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds), while Smith chipped in 14 points, seven boards, and four blocks, offering a strong defensive presence in the paint.
Despite starting just 2-of-13 from the field and missing four uncharacteristic free throws, Kayla McBride made the play of the game. With under 32 seconds left and the Liberty threatening to rally, McBride nailed a 29-foot three to stretch Minnesota’s lead and all but secure the win.
McBride finished with 17 points, including some key free throws down the stretch. Her performance underscored the Lynx’s balance — even when one element of her game faltered, she found other ways to impact the outcome.
New York (21–13), meanwhile, showed flashes of the dominance that earned them last year’s title, but injuries and scheduling caught up to them. Playing their third road game of the week, the Liberty were sluggish out of the gate, scoring just 12 first-quarter points — their lowest opening frame of the season — and missing all their three-point attempts in the period.
Despite the slow start, a 16–0 run spanning halftime — punctuated by a Jonquel Jones three-point play — briefly gave the Liberty the lead. Jones led New York with 17 points, while Sabrina Ionescu notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. Marine Johannès and Kennedy Burke added key bench contributions with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Still, New York’s undermanned frontcourt was exposed. Breanna Stewart (knee) missed her 10th consecutive game, and Nyara Sabally and Isabelle Harrison were also unavailable. Without their All-Star leader, the Liberty have now dropped to 4–6 during Stewart’s absence and have yet to beat Minnesota this season.
With the postseason rapidly approaching, New York remains entangled in a tight race for the No. 2 seed, while Minnesota sits comfortably atop the standings. However, playoff seeding could shift quickly, and with these two teams meeting again Tuesday in Brooklyn, the Liberty will get one more regular-season shot to stop the Lynx and build momentum before the postseason.
The recent losses raise questions about the Liberty’s ability to repeat as champions if they remain without Stewart — their defensive anchor and top scorer — during crunch time. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s depth and resilience, even without their MVP candidate, signals a team built not only for revenge but for a championship run of their own.
Tuesday’s rematch at the Barclays Center will be must-watch basketball. For the Lynx, it’s an opportunity to sweep their Finals rival and stay hot ahead of the playoffs. For the Liberty, it’s a gut-check moment to prove they’re still contenders — especially if Stewart remains sidelined.
Whether it’s Williams’ fire, McBride’s clutch DNA, or the Lynx’s ability to rise without their star, Minnesota has sent a message loud and clear: they’re not just back — they’re better.
