The Minnesota Lynx completed a captivating comeback to stun the New York Liberty in overtime of a thrilling WNBA Finals Game 1 after the l eague announced a historic expanded schedule .
On Thursday night at Barclays Center, the Liberty held a comfortable 18-point lead at one stage and appeared certain to take Game 1 in front of the partisan crowd. But the Lynx would not be denied, storming back as Courtney Williams hitting a dramatic four-point play with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lead by one.
However, Breanna Stewart - who was expertly defended by Napheesa Collier all night - earned a controversial shooting foul with 0.8 seconds remaining. After making the first free throw, she missed the second to send the game to overtime, where Williams took over and Collier hit a fadeaway game-winner as the Lynx clinched a 95-93 victory - and completed the joint-largest comeback in WNBA Finals history.
Ahead of Game 1 tipping off, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed media and revealed several key changes affecting the league from next season. Along with the addition of expansion franchise Golden State Valkyries , regular season play will increase from 40 to 44 games.
Engelbert also announced that the 2025 WNBA Finals would extend from a 5-game series to a 7-game series, following the NBA Finals and the format utilized by other North American professional sports leagues. As well as this, home-court advantage for the first round will change so the team with the better record will host Game 1, hit the road for Game 2, and return home for Game 3, if necessary.
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Once the exciting expanded schedule was announced, the Liberty and Lynx battled and proved why there is a demand for more WNBA basketball. Jonquel Jones enjoyed a hot start by putting up 10 points within the opening seven minutes, helping the Liberty seize an early 19-8 lead.
The Liberty's 32 first-quarter points represented the most the Lynx have allowed in a first quarter this season as the home team took control, and Minnesota's 18-point deficit was the most the team have trailed in the playoffs. At halftime, the Liberty led 44-36 but the Lynx continued their fightback.
But the New York offense ignited in the fourth quarter, leading to another 12-point lead with under five minutes remaining. Then the late chaos ensued.
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With seven seconds remaining, Alanna Smith grabbed a critical offensive rebound and passed to Williams, who hit a stunning three-pointer with a foul by Sabrina Ionescu. Williams hit the free throw - one of her 18 points on the night - to give the Lynx a lead for the first time in the game.
Stewart earned free throws herself with under a second remaining but could only hit the first to send the game to overtime rather than clinch a Liberty win. In the extra period, Williams scored a number of clutch buckets, but it was Defensive Player of the Year Collier who hit a fadeaway in Stewart's face to seal a stunning victory.
The Liberty have now lost Game 1 of the WNBA Finals six times, ensuring their chase for a first championship starts on the back foot. Game 2 between the Liberty and Lynx takes place at Barclays Center on Sunday, Oct. 13.
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