Lynx Return to Barclays Center with a Statement Win Over Liberty

The Minnesota Lynx arrived back at the Barclays Center for the first time since their Finals loss against the Liberty in the 2024 season. That was a series that went the distance and saw the Liberty win their first-ever WNBA championship.

Courtney Williams, the Lynx starting guard, had a lot to say heading into the game. “I mean, our whole team has a chip on our shoulder when it comes to playing New York. We all can’t stand them.”

Shortly after Williams’ comment, it was time for tip-off. Williams finished the first quarter 4-for-7 shooting with 8 points. Both teams started off the game hot, trading baskets.

The score at half would be 38-36, with the Liberty in front. Natasha Cloud was leading the way for New York by going 4-for-5 shooting with 9 points. Isabelle Harrison also had 9 points at the half, making major contributions for the Liberty while coming off the bench. New York went into halftime with a lead despite their best player, Sabrina Ionescu, having a slow start and going 1-for-8 from the field.

The third quarter would start with Ionescu getting back into the scoring column with a layup, but the Lynx would respond. DiJonai Carrington, Kayla McBride, and Alanna Smith all hit threes early to erase New York’s lead. Turnovers in the third hurt the Liberty significantly. New York would find themselves down 10 in a hurry with 25 seconds left to go in the third, and then Marine Johannes hit a big-time three-pointer to cut the deficit to 7. The Lynx went right back down the court and scored to finish the third and lead 66-57.

Minnesota wasted no time extending their lead in the fourth. Kayla McBride opened the quarter with a deep three to push the advantage to 12. From there, the Lynx went on a decisive run. Carrington scored back-to-back layups before Natisha Hiedeman knocked down a jumper to make it 75-60, forcing a Liberty timeout.

New York tried to fight back, with Ionescu and Jones chipping away at the deficit, but turnovers and missed shots stalled their momentum. Smith buried another three with just over four minutes to play, essentially sealing the win.

“It started with our post players guarding well, getting their hands on balls, tipping them out, and letting us run. Courtney kept reminding me to shift my mindset from being just a reverser or decoy to looking for my shot. We talked about that at halftime, and in the third quarter we showed it,” Carrington said in the postgame presser.

Minnesota walked away with an 83-71 victory, snapping New York’s hopes of another home win. McBride led the Lynx with 18 points, while Carrington (15 points, 6 rebounds) and Williams (14 points, 7 assists) were key in the win. Cloud paced the Liberty with 14 points, and Jones and Meesseman each added 11.