Bridget Carleton, Minnesota Lynx win wild Game 1 in WNBA Finals

NEW YORK — Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has seen a lot in her incredible career that has included four WNBA championships.

Article content

The historic rally by the Lynx to beat New York 95-93 in a wild Game 1 of the WNBA Finals ranks right up there as one of the best moments.

“We’re the first team in WNBA playoff history to be down 15 (in the final five minutes) and come back and win the game,” Reeve said. “So that ranks really high. I think it defines our team. Getting through difficult times. That’s what we’ve been talking about. You have to be mentally tough, resilient. . . . Thrilled that we could hang in there.”

Chatham’s Bridget Carleton had five points, three rebounds and one assist for the Lynx. She played 37:26, the third-most minutes on the team.

Minnesota rallied from 18 points down in the first half and Napheesa Collier’s turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left in overtime lifted the team to the win over the New York Liberty Thursday night.

Article content

With the game tied, Collier faked in the lane and scored. New York had a chance to tie it. but Breanna Stewart’s layup at the buzzer was off.

“The basketball gods were on our side tonight,” said Courtney Williams, who had 23 points, including a four-point play with 5.5 seconds left in regulation, to lead Minnesota.

Collier finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and three steals.

Minnesota Lynx’s Bridget Carleton, right, dribbles the ball against New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu during the first half in Game 1 of the WNBA final Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in New York. (Pamela Smith/The Associated Press)

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday in New York. Before the game, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the league is expanding the Finals to best-of-seven starting next year.

The OT got off to a slow start before Minnesota built an 88-84 advantage as New York missed its first six shots. Jonquel Jones finally got the Liberty on the board with a corner three-pointer with 1:38 left. Williams answered with her own three-pointer and the teams traded baskets over the next minute. Sabrina Ionescu’s steal in the backcourt and layup got New York within 93-91 with 32.9 left.

Article content

Jones then stole the ball at midcourt and scored to tie it four seconds later. Minnesota worked the clock down before Collier’s basket broke the tie.

The Liberty blew an 11-point lead in the final 3:23 of regulation when Minnesota scored 12 straight points, capped by Williams’ four-point play.

The Liberty made the most of the last few seconds. After Stewart’s first shot was blocked with a second left and went out of bounds, Ionescu inbounded the ball to her under the basket and she was fouled. The officials reviewed the play to see if the foul occurred before the buzzer sounded and deemed it did, awarding Stewart two free throws with 0.8 seconds left.

She hit the first of two free throws with the second one rolling off the rim. Williams’ shot on the other end was off and the game headed to OT.

Article content

Jones led New York with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Ionescu finished with 19 and Stewart had 18.

Both teams are looking to make history in this series. The Liberty are seeking the franchise’s first championship, while the Lynx are vying for a league-record fifth. They were the best teams during the regular season, finishing in the top two in the standings.

New York is in the finals for the second consecutive year and is hoping to erase the scar of losing to the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. Minnesota is making its first appearance in the championship round since 2017, when the team won its fourth title in a seven-year span.

The star-studded New York crowd of 17,732 was loud and spirited as it has been all season.

Recommended from Editorial

Carleton to play for WNBA championship

Carleton scores 17 in Lynx WNBA semi-final

Article content