Minnesota Lynx W 71–87 New York Liberty W: match recap

Match recap

New York overwhelmed Minnesota wire-to-wire, riding a 59.5 FG% and a dominant 36-29 rebounding advantage to an 87-71 blowout win. Breanna Stewart (21/5/4) and Jonquel Jones (21/13/2) set the tone inside, while Sabrina Ionescu's 18 points and 7 assists orchestrated the offense.

The Liberty seized control from the opening tip, shooting a blistering 59.5% from the floor while holding Minnesota to 37.5%. Jonquel Jones controlled the glass (13 rebounds) and finished efficiently (8-11 FG), and Breanna Stewart got to the line at will (9-9 FT). The Lynx, led by Courtney Williams (18/8/5) and Napheesa Collier (14/7/1), never found consistent rhythm; their starting backcourt of Kayla McBride and O. Miles combined for just 5-20 shooting. New York's balanced attack—six players in double figures—and zero turnovers underscored a near-flawless execution.

Key factors

• Shooting efficiency: New York's 59.5 FG% crushed Minnesota's 37.5%, a +22 percentage point gap that drove the winProbability edge.
• Rebounding dominance: The Liberty grabbed 36 boards to Minnesota's 29, led by Jonquel Jones' 13, limiting second-chance opportunities for the Lynx.
• Star-level production: Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones combined for 42 points on 14-23 shooting, while Minnesota's top scorers (Collier, Williams) lacked support from the rest of the lineup.

The Analyst's verdict

This win underscores New York's elite shooting and interior strength—a combination that will be tough for any opponent to counter. Minnesota's offensive struggles against switching, aggressive defenses remain a concern heading into a potential playoff rematch.