The spectators at the Barclays Center believed that the nightmare was going to start again. After a legendary Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals, concluded with a total collapse of the New York Liberty against the Minnesota Lynx, Game 2 seemed to take a similar turn. While Sandy Brondello’s players led by 17 points in the 2nd quarter, Minnesota fought hard to finally come back to -2 in the 4th and create incredible momentum. The difference with the previous match is that this time New York did not sink. On the contrary, Breanna Stewart (21 pts, 8 rebounds, 5 asts, 7 stls) and his comrades came back to their senses to pass a saving 12-0 to seal the deal (80-66).
The deadly basket was the German’s 3-pointer Leonie Fiebich – his only one of the match – on this counter-attack… three against one.
LEONIE FIEBICH. CLUTCH. 😱 pic.twitter.com/u4AwO8BYEe
— ESPN (@espn) October 13, 2024
The Liberty posed a few more problems to Napheesa Collier this time. Despite his undeniable activity (16 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 stls, 3 asts), the Defensive Player of the Year also lost 7 balls and could not be found during the big run in New York. The difference, too, on the Liberty side, is the impact of Bethany Laneyphysically diminished but who was able to regain confidence in attack (20 pts). On the side of Sabrina Ionescuwe tried less to weigh down at the finish. The All-Star leader finished with 15 points at 5/9, 5 assists and the biggest differential of the match (+20).
Coming back to Breanna Stewart, her 7 interceptions constitute a record in the history of the WNBA Finals. Clearly, the double MVP had the idea of doing better than in game 1 and it is undoubtedly not over.
The next two matches will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis. If the Lynx win both, they will be crowned WNBA champions at home. Otherwise, New York will be able to celebrate the first title in the history of the franchise away from its bases. And if there is a new division, everything will be settled during a game 5 in New York, for the last edition of the WNBA Finals at the best of five, since the league has announced a move to a series at the best of 7 the next season.
