In an absolute rollercoaster of a WNBA Finals opener, the Minnesota Lynx pulled off a jaw-dropping 18-point comeback against the New York Liberty, leaving Breanna Stewart and the gang wondering if they’ve accidentally offended the basketball gods. Seriously, did someone forget to sacrifice a Gatorade to the hoop spirits before the game?
The Liberty had every reason to be confident, especially after dominating most of the first half. They were up by a whopping 18 points. Eighteen! That’s practically a small country’s population in basketball terms. With 3:23 left in regulation, they still had an 11-point cushion. Surely, this was a done deal, right? Wrong. The Lynx had other plans—plans that apparently involved a sprinkle of destiny, a dash of overtime drama, and a whole lot of heartbreak for Liberty fans.
The Curse of the Free Throw
Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, arguably the closest thing New York has to a basketball superhero, had not one but two golden chances to clinch the game for her team. First, with seconds ticking down in regulation, she stepped to the free-throw line. The first shot? Money. The second? Let’s just say it had other travel plans and decided to rim out instead. A collective gasp could probably be heard echoing across all five boroughs.
Then, if that wasn’t dramatic enough, Stewart had a chance to play hero once again in overtime. She drove to the hoop with all the confidence in the world, but her layup? Well, it might as well have come with a little “not today” post-it note on it as it bounced harmlessly off the rim. The Lynx held on to their nerve and took the game, snatching a 95-93 victory and, more importantly, swiping the homecourt advantage like a thief in the night.
Cheryl Reeve: The Comeback Queen
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wasn’t just happy; she was practically levitating. “We’re the first team in WNBA playoff history to be down 15 and come back to win the game,” Reeve said, probably trying not to giggle as she delivered that bombshell stat. “It defines who we are. Tough, resilient, mentally strong. Like, who wouldn’t want to be us right now?”
Reeve, of course, wasn’t wrong. Minnesota’s victory was the stuff of legends—or maybe just a really lucky Wednesday night. Either way, it was a statement: the Lynx are here to fight, and they’re bringing their best trick plays and their lucky charms along for the ride.
Courtney Williams: Dad Knows Best
While the Lynx were making history on the court, one player had her mind on a different kind of pep talk: Courtney Williams, Minnesota’s guard, had the ultimate motivational boost from none other than her dad. And let’s be real—when your dad believes in you, you’re practically invincible. “He embodies all of our families,” Williams said, flashing a grin. “We know what we can do. We never give up.”
Apparently, Mr. Williams’ unwavering confidence is contagious, as the Lynx refused to fold even when it seemed like the Liberty had one foot in the door of Game 1. And while we’re not sure if Williams’ dad had a hotline to the basketball gods, we do know one thing: the Lynx’s belief in themselves (and some help from above) turned what could’ve been a forgettable Finals opener into a historic one.
Liberty’s Lesson: A Crash Course in Regret
As for the Liberty? Well, they’ve got some soul-searching to do before Game 2. And maybe, just maybe, a quick lesson in closing out games wouldn’t hurt. After all, you can’t let a team come back from an 18-point deficit and expect the basketball world to be kind about it. Breanna Stewart’s frustration was palpable after the game, but she remained optimistic. “It’s on to the next,” Stewart said. “But, man, this one stings.”
And sting it does, as the Liberty head into Game 2 now fighting an uphill battle to reclaim their shot at a WNBA championship. So, note to New York: maybe lay off the drama next time and close it out, okay?
The Basketball Gods Have Spoken
As Minnesota basks in the glory of their improbable victory, one thing is clear: in the world of basketball, the gods are always watching. And on this night, they decided to smile down on the Lynx.