After stumbling in Game 1, the New York Liberty showed up like they’d been personally offended by the very idea of losing. Game 2 of the WNBA Finals was a completely different story, as the Liberty gave the Minnesota Lynx a 40-minute masterclass on “how to bounce back,” walking away with a commanding 80-66 victory to tie the series at 1-1.
Breanna Stewart was the Liberty’s one-woman wrecking crew, dropping 21 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and channeling her inner point guard with five assists. Oh, and did we mention the seven steals? Stewart was out there swiping balls like they were on clearance. She clearly had some unfinished business after Game 1, where a missed free throw haunted her dreams. This time, no such drama—she came to close, not to fumble.
Speaking of stepping up, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton decided Game 2 was her personal highlight reel. Laney-Hamilton matched Stewart’s intensity with 20 points, including a dagger of a three-pointer that silenced Minnesota’s late comeback attempt like an unwanted spoiler alert. With the Lynx trimming New York’s lead to just two in the fourth quarter, Laney-Hamilton calmly dropped the three that sparked a game-ending 12-0 run. “Not today, Lynx. Not today,” said that shot, probably.
Defense Wins Championships… or at Least Games The Liberty defense, often criticized for having more holes than Swiss cheese, stepped up in Game 2, putting the clamps on the Lynx offense. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier tried to carry the load, but it was like trying to carry a mattress up a flight of stairs—awkward and heavy, with not enough help to make it work.
New York, after sprinting out to an early double-digit lead, seemed determined to repeat the script from Game 1—jump ahead, get comfortable, then panic and let the Lynx back in. But this time, they kept their foot on the gas, thanks in large part to their defense. New York’s stifling pressure had Minnesota looking like they were playing through quicksand, never finding their rhythm.
Star Power and Celeb Watch If the basketball wasn’t enough of a draw, the crowd in Brooklyn was packed with stars—because nothing says “big game” like celebs with courtside seats. Jennifer Hudson was there, perhaps preparing for another Oscar-winning role as “someone shocked by an incredible basketball play,” and Katie Couric came through to take notes on this high-stakes drama. Even UConn coaching legend Geno Auriemma showed up, keeping an eye on his former stars, Stewart and Collier, because apparently, even in retirement, he can’t escape this WNBA rivalry.
What’s Next? As the series heads to Minnesota for Game 3, the Liberty suddenly have the momentum—and the Lynx? Well, they’re left scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to stop Stewart from turning every possession into her own personal highlight reel. The Liberty are now aiming to control the series in enemy territory, where the stakes are higher, the pressure is mounting, and Minnesota fans will be louder than ever.
Will New York keep this energy in Minneapolis? Or will the Lynx have the last laugh at home? One thing’s for sure: Wednesday night’s game just became a must-watch event. Better get your popcorn ready.