Revenge or Repeat? 2024 WNBA Finals Rematch Is Finally Here
- Erin Ivey
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
'It's been 84 years..." Rose "Titanic"
Well, it hasn't been 84 years, but it surely feels like it. When the WNBA schedule was released, a lot of people had the first match between the Lynx and Liberty circled. Except, we all wondered why we wouldn't see it until the second half of the season. The Liberty failed to make it to the Commissioner's Cup finals, losing to the Fever, who went on to defeat the Lynx in the final game.
"Bring it on. Bring it on. Because this sh** was stolen from us." Cheryl Reeve
A controversial foul called with 5.2 seconds left in regulation sent Breanna Stewart of the Liberty to the charity stripe. She tied the game and sent it to overtime. The Lynx scored no field goals in extra time, and converted their first points via free throws with a little less than a minute to go. The finals in general were marred by poor officiating, and no one wants to see a game decided in this manner. But this divided the league and fans alike. Minnesota has had a chip on thier shoulder ever since, and rightfully so. However, do not underestimate the chip on the shoulder of the team that's told their (first) championship is illegitimate. And to make matters worse, what in the world was Cathy Engelbert thinking wearing that New York skyline dress?!? That didn't do New York ANY favors.
First Rematch in Nine Months
The first of a four game series between The Lynx and Liberty kicks off tomorrow at Target Center in Minneapolis, where the Lynx have only lost one (*ahem*) game thus far. The Commissioner's Cup loss at home does not officially count, though some fans beg to differ.
The Lynx sit atop the standings at 22-5. They are strong championship contenders, leading the league in offensive, defensive, and net rating. Napheesa Collier is driving a strong campaign for MVP as the league's leading scorer averaging nearly 24 points per game. The Lynx are fresh off of a loss to the Atlanta Dream, another team making a strong push for the playoffs. They allowed a season high 22 points to Brittney Griner and 18 points to Jordin Canada. They hope to get back into the win column right away,
Injuries add up for the Liberty
The Liberty come in at number two with a 17-8 record, already matching their loss total of all of last season. They are on their 11th different starting lineup. They were without Jonquel Jones, finals MVP, for nearly half of the games. Leonie Fiebich missed time for Euro Basket.
Most recently, Breanna Stewart went down with a leg injury with no timetable for a return. Kennedy Burke, making a strong case for 6th player of the year, will be out for a couple of weeks with a calf strain. Nyara Sabally is out for rest. In the interim, the Liberty are coming off of two losses to the LA Sparks and Dallas Wings, respectively. The Liberty were outmatched in both games in the paint. They're late on coverages and look every bit of fatigued. The Liberty were down by as much as 30 to the Wings. They tried to be the team to come back from the largest deficit, and even though they held Dallas to one field goal in the fourth quarter, they couldn't get it done.
The silver lining is that Sabrina Ionescu is playing lights out. She's the first player this season to win consecutive "Player of the Week" awards. No one is going to feel badly for the defending champs. Championship caliber teams don't make excuses. Expect the Liberty to also be eager to get back into winning ways.
Rivalry Renewed: The best of the best
The Lynx defensively allow a league best average of 75.4 points per game while the Liberty score a league best average of 87.7 points per game. How will Coach Sandy Brondello address the recent issues in the paint? Will Sabrina and JJ continue to step up and lead the Liberty without Breanna Stewart? Which team makes more 3 pointers? Will Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams be a strong supporting cast for MVP candidate Naphessa Collier? How many technical fouls will be issued? How many crash outs? Will the Liberty Biberty or will the Lynx Electric Slide? Do you want butter or hot sauce on your popcorn?
Buckle up, the next three games between these two are all in August.
Very informative and fair!