Brooklyn, NY—In a game marked by strong performances and strategic runs, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty 83-71 on Sunday in front of sell-out crowd 17,343. Kayla McBride led the way for Minnesota with 18 points, while DiJonai Carrington contributed 15 in her first game with the Lynx after a midseason trade.
Both teams entered the game missing key players. The Liberty (20-11) were without Breanna Stewart, who is sidelined with a knee injury, while the Lynx (27-5) played without star forward Napheesa Collier, who is recovering from an ankle issue. Despite the absences, both teams came out with high energy, but it was Minnesota’s three-point shooting and depth that proved to be the difference.
The game remained tight through much of the first half, with the Liberty holding a narrow 38-36 lead at the break. The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Minnesota leading 25-24, but New York found some rhythm in the second. Courtney Williams played a significant role for the Lynx in the opening 20 minutes, registering eight points, seven assists, and four rebounds. However, the Liberty’s depth wasn’t enough to carry them through as they struggled to maintain the lead after halftime.
The third quarter was the turning point. New York was up 47-40 early in the period, but Minnesota unleashed a 24-7 run, sparked by sharp shooting from beyond the arc. During the surge, the Lynx knocked down five three-pointers, with Natisha Hiedeman’s three-pointer from the wing pushing Minnesota to a 64-54 lead. Heading into the final quarter, Minnesota held a 66-57 advantage, and Carrington’s assertiveness in the fourth put the game firmly out of reach for the Liberty.
Not only did Carrington shine in her new role with Minnesota, but the Lynx also benefited from strong play across the board. The Liberty’s bench, in particular, was outscored 34-19 by Minnesota’s reserves, which made a notable impact on the final outcome.
For New York, Natasha Cloud led with 14 points, but the absence of Stewart was deeply felt in both the offensive and defensive setups. With the Liberty struggling to generate offense without their star player, it was clear that Minnesota’s balanced attack was too much to overcome.
In addition to the game itself, the atmosphere at Barclays Center was electric. New York took time to honor former player Jaylyn Sherrod, whom they recently cut to make room for Emma Meesseman. The crowd gave Sherrod a warm ovation after a video tribute. The Liberty also inducted former player Tari Phillips into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime, with former Liberty great Teresa Weatherspoon receiving the loudest cheers during a recognition of past players.
The two teams will face off again in a short span, with three matchups scheduled in the next nine days. New York will have a brief break before heading west for back-to-back games, followed by a visit to Minnesota on Saturday.
While Sunday’s game was an intense contest, it served as a reminder of the Lynx’s deep roster and offensive firepower, especially in the absence of Collier. The Liberty, on the other hand, will need to adjust without Stewart and look for ways to build on their strengths as they head into a critical stretch of games.
