Minnesota Lynx win wild Game 1 of the WNBA Finals

NEW YORK, NY – On the night WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced a shift to a best-of-seven format for the Finals next season, the championship opener delivered a thrilling spectacle that will be remembered in playoff history. The Minnesota Lynx staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime during Game 1 of the best-of-five series.

The final moments of regulation were electric. With just 5.5 seconds remaining, Courtney Williams sank a historic four-point play, giving Minnesota its first lead of the game. Shortly after, Breanna Stewart had a chance to seal the win for New York but missed her second free throw, sending the game into overtime. In a stunning feat, the Lynx became the first team in WNBA postseason history to win after trailing by 15 points with less than five minutes left on the clock.

Game 2 is set for Sunday, giving New York a couple of days to regroup after this heartbreaking loss.

The first quarter hinted at a different outcome, as New York dominated early, racking up 32 points. The Liberty built an 18-point lead in the first half and were ahead by 15 with under five minutes remaining in regulation before Minnesota launched its comeback.

Williams’ four-point play was a pivotal moment; according to Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the first four-point play in WNBA history—regular season or playoffs—within the final 10 seconds of a game that shifted the lead.

Just before the buzzer, Stewart was fouled, prompting a lengthy review to confirm the timing. The two-time MVP, known for her 84% free throw shooting, made the first shot but missed the second, allowing the game to continue into overtime.

Overtime began slowly, but Minnesota managed to take an 88-84 lead while New York missed its first six attempts. Jonquel Jones finally broke the drought with a corner three-pointer with 1:38 left. Williams quickly responded with a three of her own, leading to a back-and-forth exchange of baskets. A crucial steal and layup by Sabrina Ionescu brought New York within 93-91 with 32.9 seconds remaining.

In a dramatic twist, Jones stole the ball at midcourt and scored, tying the game just four seconds later. As time wound down, Minnesota managed to hold possession until Napheesa Collier made a turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left, securing the lead for the Lynx. Stewart’s final layup attempt missed, sealing the victory for Minnesota.