WNBA Finals: Lynx rally back, stun Liberty in wild Game 1

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) drives in between New York Liberty forwards Breanna Stewart (30) and Jonquel Jones (35) during overtime at Barclays Center. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

WNBA Finals: Lynx rally back, stun Liberty in instant classic Game 1

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 10, 2024 10:44 PM ET

It was not the way they drew it up, but the Minnesota Lynx were able to steal Game 1 of the WNBA Finals from the New York Liberty on Thursday night, rallying for a shocking 95-93 overtime win. The contest not only sets the stage for what could be a thrilling series, but should be remembered as an instant classic game for the way the Lynx fought back after seeming to be out of it all night.

Minnesota trailed 32-19 after the first quarter and later found itself down by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter. But the Lynx were able to rally with an 18-2 run in the final five minutes and take their first lead of the night on a four-point play from Courtney Williams with 5.5 seconds to play in regulation.

They've been down but not out, Courtney Williams gets the and-1 after being fouled beyond the arc #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/ohHOLP9upG
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

That looked to be the game-winning play after Minnesota appeared to make a last-second stop at the buzzer at the other end of the floor. But after a review, it was determined that Liberty star Breanna Stewart was fouled with 0.8 seconds to play, sending her to the line with a chance to win the game.

Stewart made the first shot and missed the second, sending the game to overtime.

It was there that MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier hit the game-winning shot late in the overtime period.

The game deciding shot by Napheesa Collier is NASTY

THE @minnesotalynx TAKE GAME 1 OF THE #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV WITH A FINAL SCORE OF 95-93 pic.twitter.com/4DO4NXLoG5
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

The Lynx still had to make one more stop, but caught a break when Stewart was unable to convert a potential game-tying lay up at the buzzer.

The Lynx had three players top the 20-point mark with Williams (23) leading the way. Collier (21) and Kayla McBride (22) also surpassed that number in the win.

New York's Jonquel Jones had a game-high 24 points (and also finished with 10 rebounds for a double-double) in the loss.

For the Liberty, this is the type of gut-punch loss that can completely turn a series. They were in control of the game all night and seemed to be destined to get one win closer to their first-ever WNBA championship. But gradually slipped away, and ultimately the Lynx were celebrating their Game 1 win and wrestling home-court advantage away from the Liberty.

Minnesota is seeking its fifth WNBA championship (and first since the 2017 season), and now it is one win closer in the most improbable way.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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