The GIST: The excitement never stops during the most-watched WNBA Playoffs of all time, and the hype continued as the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx took last night’s Game 1 vs. the No. 1 NY Liberty in dramatic overtime (OT) fashion.
Lynx claw back from 18-point deficit, tie record for largest comeback in Finals history: Though the Libs came out hot, the Lynx shook off any fatigue worries by the second half, making a tremendous fourth-quarter run and taking their first lead of the game with just five seconds to go, courtesy of a showstopping four-point play from Courtney Williams. Making dad proud.
- But the chaos had only just begun. NY’s Breanna Stewart was fouled (amid confusing officiating) but made only one of her two foul shots, tying it at 84 and sending the game to OT. That’s where Minnesota surged ahead, leaning on their signature defense to win Game 1 95–93 on the Libs’ home court.
- While Williams led the Lynx with 23 points, this season’s Defensive Player of the Year and MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier was undeniable on D, recording six blocks while guarding her college-teammate-turned-business-partner Breanna Stewart.
Up next — Game 2, Sunday 3 p.m. ET: Now with their backs unexpectedly against the wall, the Liberty will be determined to overcome their late-game mistakes and nab a home-court Game 2 win to keep their inaugural title hopes alive before the five-game series shifts to Minnesota for next week’s Game 3. The hoops fun has only just begun.