Lynx complete largest comeback in WNBA finals history to beat Liberty in Game 1

Some games are remembered forever. One of those took place Thursday night.

Napheesa Collier hit a turnaround jumper for the go-ahead bucket in the Lynx's 95-93 overtime victory over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in New York.

But so, so much happened before Collier hit the game-winning shot to complete the largest comeback in WNBA finals history.

Trailing 83-80 with 18.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Courtney Williams drove down the right sideline and drilled a fadeaway 3-pointer. Not only that, she was also fouled on the play by Sabrina Ionescu, and Williams made the free throw to give the Lynx their first lead of the game with just 5.5 seconds left on the clock.

Game over? Not so fast.

Breanna Stewart was able to draw a foul on Collier the next Liberty possession for two free throws with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. She made the first to tie the game.

The second didn't fall.

Williams got a look at a last-second game-winner for the Lynx, but it didn't go.

Overtime. For just the sixth time in WNBA Finals history.

And an eventual win for the Lynx.

It certainly wasn't easy. The Lynx were playing catch up as the Liberty came out of the gates in full force, outscoring Minnesota 32-19 in the opening frame. They pushed that lead to as many as 18 points in the second quarter. But the Lynx answered with a 10-0 run, eventually cutting their deficit to 44-36 by the halftime break.

They then opened the second half on an 8-2 run to cut their deficit to two. They got within two on two different occasions, but just couldn't quite get over the hump.

The Lynx got within four with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Leonie Fiebich grabbed an offensive board and got the putback to push it to six. After New York got a stop, Stewart drilled a 3 to make it 73-64 with 7:30 to play.

Stewart had 18 points and nine rebounds. Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 24.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's 3 made it a 15-point Liberty lead with 5:20 remaining.

But no deficit is too large for these Lynx. Collier and Williams had four points apiece during an 8-0 Lynx run. Williams led the Lynx with 23 points, five assists and five boards. Kayla McBride finished with 22 points and four assists. And Collier had 21 points, eight boards, a whopping six blocks and three steals.

There were incredible performances in an incredible game. And it was an all-around effort from the Lynx as they overcame an 18-point deficit, remained measured through the chaos of the final minutes and took a 1-0 series lead as they continue their quest for the franchise's fifth WNBA Finals title. Couldn't ask for a better start.