Lynx Surge Past Liberty in Rematch of WNBA Finals Showdown

NEW YORK, NY — Kayla McBride scored 18 points and DiJonai Carrington added 15 as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty 83-71 on Sunday in a highly anticipated rematch at Barclays Center.

The win marked a strong start to a three-game series between the teams over the next nine days. New York will head west for a back-to-back before returning to face the Lynx again in Minnesota on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Lynx get a break until that next matchup.

Both teams were missing key players: the Liberty were without Breanna Stewart (knee), while the Lynx played without Napheesa Collier (ankle). The game was the first meeting between the two since New York claimed a decisive Game 5 victory in last year’s WNBA Finals.

New York (20-11) held a 47-40 lead early in the third quarter, but Minnesota (27-5) responded with a dominant 24-7 run over six minutes, capped by a Natisha Hiedeman 3-pointer from the wing to give the Lynx a 64-54 advantage. During the run, Minnesota nailed five 3-pointers and converted a three-point play to shift momentum.

The Lynx led 66-57 entering the fourth and quickly put the game out of reach, with Carrington—acquired in a recent trade with Dallas—providing key plays in the final quarter.

Natasha Cloud led the Liberty with 14 points, but Minnesota’s bench proved to be a difference-maker, outscoring New York’s reserves 34-19.

Alanna Smith contributed a strong all-around performance for Minnesota, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and three blocks.

The game opened with a fast-paced first quarter that ended with Minnesota up 25-24. The tempo slowed in the second quarter, and New York held a narrow 38-36 lead at halftime. Courtney Williams had a productive half for the Lynx with eight points, seven assists, and four rebounds.

Before the game, Minnesota signed former Liberty guard Jaylyn Sherrod, who had been cut by New York to make room for Emma Meesseman. The Liberty honored Sherrod with a tribute video that drew a warm ovation from the crowd.

At halftime, New York inducted former star Tari Phillips into its Ring of Honor. The team also celebrated about two dozen former players during the first quarter break, with the loudest cheers reserved for Liberty legend Teresa Weatherspoon, the final player introduced.