The 2024 WNBA Finals between the top-seeded New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx start Thursday.
Listed here are 5 storylines to observe:
Liberty looking for elusive first title
One of many unique eight WNBA groups to affix the league in 1997, the Liberty are nonetheless title-less in 12 months 28. Final season, the Liberty got here up wanting successful a championship, falling to the Las Vegas Aces in 4 video games to drop to 0-5 all-time within the Finals.
From bell to bell, the Liberty remained atop the 2024 WNBA standings, ending with one of the best file within the league at 32-8. According to FanDuel, New York is a heavy favourite (-275) to prime Minnesota and with All-Stars Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu main the cost, this can be the franchise’s finest shot at a title but.
Lynx trying to make historical past
A 12 months after ending 19-21, the Lynx are again within the Finals for the primary time since 2017. Whereas just one participant stays from that crew, ahead Cecilia Zandalasini, this 12 months’s group has an opportunity to place the franchise within the file books.
Minnesota has gained 4 WNBA titles, in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017, tied with the Seattle Storm and the defunct Houston Comets for essentially the most all-time.
If the Lynx come away victorious over the Liberty, they’re going to turn into the primary crew in league historical past to win 5 championships.
Former UConn standouts would be the matchup to observe
Two former UConn standouts, Stewart of the Liberty and Napheesa Collier of the Lynx, gained an NCAA Championship collectively in 2015-16. However, starting Thursday, they’re going to battle for one more crown, and just one can win.
Stewart, already a two-time Finals MVP, has one thing to show after ending solely 3-of-17 for 10 factors within the deciding recreation of the 2023 championship in opposition to the Aces. In the meantime, after a breakout 12 months, successful Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors and ending second within the MVP voting, Collier goals to take her place among the many elite by bringing one other title to Minnesota.
Dimension may play large position for Liberty
Regardless of the presence of six-foot-four middle and now three-time MVP A’Ja Wilson, the Liberty out-rebounded the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces 149-112 within the semifinals. In comparison with the Aces, New York can have an much more important benefit by way of measurement in opposition to the Lynx.
Three Liberty starters, together with Jones (6-foot-6), Stewart (6-foot-4), and rookie Leonie Fiebich (6-foot-4), stand over Wilson’s top. Conversely, ahead Alanna Smith (6-foot-4) is the tallest starter for the Lynx, whereas the remainder stand at 6-foot-1 or shorter.
Lynx’s success from three could be the key to beating Liberty
Counting the Commissioner’s Cup, the Lynx defeated the Liberty in three of 4 video games in the course of the common season. The Finals are a completely totally different animal, however Minnesota has a blueprint to tug off the upset.
The Lynx completed with the second-highest three-point taking pictures share within the WNBA, however how they fare from past the arc within the Finals could be the distinction between successful and dropping.
Minnesota shot 48% or higher from three in three victories over New York and solely 29% of their solely loss.
