Liberty Victorious Over Lynx in Crucial Post-Break Showdown
New York secures key win against Minnesota, strengthening playoff positioning.
The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 93-81 on Friday night, capturing the regular-season series and bolstering their standing as the Women's National Basketball Association playoffs approach.
The victory, achieved in a raucous road environment at Target Center, is significant as the league enters its final week before the official postseason start on September 27. The period following the FIBA Women's World Cup break is seen by many teams as the true beginning of playoff intensity, where maintaining momentum is crucial.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 24 points and 10 rebounds, moving to ninth on the WNBA's all-time scoring list. Stewart recently captained the U.S. to a gold medal at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Sabrina Ionescu contributed 17 points and six assists, including three successful three-pointers, after a challenging performance before the break. Jonquel Jones added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The game was a physical, closely contested affair until the fourth quarter. Marine Johannès scored 10 consecutive points for New York in the final minutes of the third quarter, helping the Liberty maintain a lead. The Liberty then extended their advantage in the fourth with a 13-4 run.
Minnesota's offense struggled at times, with Rookie of the Year frontrunner Olivia Miles facing defensive pressure. Miles finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, but shot 3-for-13 through the first three quarters.
Liberty coach Charlotte DeMarco emphasized the importance of teamwork and communication on both ends of the floor. "It’s just about clicking on both ends," DeMarco stated. "Defensively: one voice, communication, make sure we’re on the same page with our schemes, what we’re trying to accomplish. And then offensively, when we’ve looked our best, we just have a good rhythm of throwing the ball ahead, having the right space, making plays for each other."
The final week of the regular season features intense competition for playoff seeding. The Lynx are competing for a top spot, while teams like Golden State, Las Vegas, Indiana, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington are vying for positioning, with New York aiming to climb the standings.