The WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx is all even at 1-1 as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Lynx were able to overcome an 18-point deficit — tying the largest comeback in WNBA Finals history — to steal Game 1 and home-court advantage from the Liberty. Minnesota found itself down big again in Game 2, trailing New York by as many as 17 points. Despite coming within two points of the Liberty with 3:40 remaining, New York closed the contest on a 12-0 run to avoid a repeat of Game 2 and secure the win to tie the series.
Although Minnesota stole home-court advantage, the Lynx know they need to play much better at home.
‘I’m disappointed that we let it get to 17 (points). … I’m more than disappointed, I’m pissed that that happened again,’ Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said after Sunday’s loss.
Napheesa Collier added the Lynx were ‘really disappointed, I think, in how we played today but excited to go home and play in front of our crowd, and we have to respond. We have to come out playing better than we did in these two games.’
Here’s everything you need to know about Game 3 of the WNBA Finals:
WNBA FINALS GAME 1 RECAP: Lynx pull off 18-point comeback, down Liberty in OT
GAME 2: New York Liberty stars put on a show for college coaches
When is Game 3 of the WNBA Finals?
Game 3 of the WNBA championship series between the Liberty and Lynx will begin at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
How to watch Game 3 of the WNBA Finals
Game 3 will be broadcast on ESPN with Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) on the call. The matchup can also be streamed on ESPN+ or the ESPN app, in addition to Fubo.
X-factors for Game 3
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton underwent knee surgery in July and hasn’t been 100% as she attempts to reestablish herself, but she returned to form on Sunday and impacted the game in a major way. After being held to five points in Game 1, Laney-Hamilton went off for 20 points in the Liberty’s Game 2 victory, tying her season high shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three. The Liberty’s big three — Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones — have scored double digits in both games, but the Liberty will need both the scoring and defense of Laney-Hamilton to withstand the Lynx’s runs.
Alanna Smith
Lynx forward Alanna Smith (6-foot-3) may be smaller than Jones (6-foot-6), but she did a better job of containing Jones in Game 2. After Jones exploded for a double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds) in Game 1, Smith held Jones to 14 points, nine rebounds and four turnovers in Game 2. Through two games, Smith has three blocks and two steals. The Lynx will need her defense to limit the Liberty’s scoring.
How many titles does the New York Liberty have?
The Liberty are in pursuit of their first championship. New York got close last year — the Liberty made it all the way to the 2023 WNBA Finals before losing to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. The Liberty have made WNBA Finals appearances five prior seasons (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2023) but have come up empty-handed each time.
How many titles does the Minnesota Lynx have?
The Lynx have four titles. In a span of seven years, the Lynx won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and made six Finals appearances, led by the group of Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles. The 2024 WNBA Finals marks the Lynx’s first championship appearance since their 2017 title.
2024 WNBA Finals schedule
Game 1: Lynx 95, Liberty 93
Game 2: Liberty 80, Lynx 66
Game 3, Wednesday, Oct. 16: Liberty at Lynx; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4, Friday, Oct. 18: Liberty at Lynx; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 5*, Sunday, Oct. 20: Lynx at Liberty; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
