Lynx vs. Liberty Preview: Collier Must Step Up as Liberty Aims for First-Ever Championship



On October 19 at 8 AM, the WNBA Finals Game 4 will see the Minnesota Lynx host the New York Liberty again. After three games, the Liberty lead the series 2-1, needing just one more win to clinch their first championship.

The Lynx, after winning the first game of the Finals, have lost two consecutive matches, turning their lead into a deficit. Game 4 is now a must-win for the Lynx; another loss would end the series. In Game 3, the Lynx led by as many as 15 points but were ultimately defeated by a near-buzzer-beater three-pointer from Sabrina Ionescu, losing 77-80 and missing the opportunity to take a championship point. This 15-point comeback was the third-largest in Finals history, with the largest being the 18-point comeback the Lynx made in Game 1 of this series. This is also the first time in WNBA playoff history that a series has seen multiple 15-point or greater comebacks.

The close outcomes of these games highlight the teams’ similar strengths. During the regular season, the Liberty finished with a 32-8 record, topping the league, while the Lynx had a 30-10 record, placing second. Both teams are among the best in the league in both offense and defense, with the Liberty boasting key players like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, and the Lynx relying on Napheesa Collier.

The pressure now falls on Collier, who has no room for error. She must lead her team to victory to keep the series alive. In this year’s playoffs, Collier has been dominant, averaging 24.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. In the first round against the Mercury, she scored 38 points in one game and 42 in another, becoming the first player in WNBA playoff history to score 30+ points in two consecutive games and total 80 points in two games. It remains to be seen if Collier can once again rise to the occasion and level the series, forcing a decisive Game 5.

The Liberty will rely heavily on Stewart and Ionescu. Once these two get into their rhythm, they are difficult to stop. In this playoff run, Stewart is averaging 21 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Ionescu is contributing 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. In the previous game, when the Liberty were down by 15 points, Stewart scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Ionescu delivered the final blow.

The pressure is also significant for the Liberty. They have reached the Finals five times in franchise history but have only come away with runner-up finishes. Last year, they lost the Finals to the Aces. The Liberty will not want to prolong the series and will likely go all out to secure the win on the road. As for the Lynx, they have no other choice but to fight back. Will the Liberty claim their first championship, or will the Lynx force a decisive Game 5? We’ll find out soon!