Liberty choke away big Game 1 lead in brutal overtime loss to Lynx

· New York Post

Napheesa Collier’s turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left lifted the Minnesota Lynx to a 95-93 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night at Barclays Center.

With the game tied in OT, Collier faked in the lane and scored.

New York had a chance to tie it but Breanna Stewart’s layup at the buzzer was off.

Courtney Williams hits a 3-point shot during the Liberty’s Game 1 overtime loss to the Lynx on Oct. 10, 2024. NBAE via Getty Images

Courtney Williams had 23 points, Kayla McBride 22 and Collier 21 for Minnesota.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday in New York. Before the game WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league is expanding the Finals to best-of-seven starting next year.

The OT got off to a slow start before Minnesota built an 88-84 advantage as New York missed its first six shots. Jonquel Jones finally got the Liberty on the board with a corner 3-pointer with 1:38 left.

Courtney Williams answered with her own 3-pointer and the teams traded baskets over the next minute.

Jonquel Jones goes up for a shot during the Liberty’s Game 1 overtime loss. Michelle Farsi / New York Post

Sabrina Ionescu’s steal in the backcourt and layup got New York within 93-91 with 32.9 left.

Jones then stole the ball at midcourt and scored to tie it four seconds later.

Minnesota worked the clock down before Collier’s basket broke the tie.