WNBA Finals live updates: New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx Game 3
You’d be forgiven if you felt a little deja vu watching Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
The home team builds an early lead off the back of the visitors’ turnovers, getting the crowd into it right away and forcing a timeout up 14-5. But despite spending most of the first half up double digits, the road team claws back and is within eight by halftime.
Then, the home team rediscovers its offense in the third quarter, builds another double-digit lead, only to once again be chased down by the opposition. Pandemonium ensues in a tense, possession-by-possession finish.
The Game 1 script resurfaced in Game 3 at Target Center Wednesday, with the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx reversing roles from their epic clash in the finals opener. After the Lynx stole a heartbreaker on the Liberty’s home court, New York returned the favor, winning on a Sabrina Ionescu game-winner with one second remaining, 80-77.
SABRINA IONESCU. ICE IN HER VEINS.@nyliberty | #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/jk6S70XW9H
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 17, 2024
Breanna Stewart led both teams with 30 points and 11 rebounds and arguably exceeded her defensive effort from Game 2, helping New York erase a 10-point deficit in the second half. Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich added 13 points apiece for the winners.
At the start, the Lynx took control of the game with the energy of their home crowd, hosting a finals contest for the first time in seven years. Minnesota resolved nearly all of its issues from the first two games in New York, controlling the ball, gang rebounding, working the clock in the half court and pressuring New York on the perimeter to score in transition.
Minnesota executed about as well as it could have hoped for, but there was one problem for the Lynx: an absolutely iconic performance from Stewart.
Stewart wasn’t the reason the Liberty lost Game 1, but she had two chances at the end of regulation and overtime to turn the result in New York’s favor and came up short. She did everything in her power to ensure that the Liberty would be on the right side of the ledger this time around. She defended Napheesa Collier but also protected the rim in help defense when the Lynx tried to spread them out.
And Ionescu also got her redemption. After the foul that led to Courtney Williams’ four-point play in Barclays Center, Ionescu was on the other end, hitting the game-winning 3-pointer after another dagger triple to put New York up with less than a minute to play.
The Liberty can now close out their first title in franchise history in Game 4 on Friday.
Stewart stars in second half
Stewart scored eight points in the first half, but she was imposing in the third quarter, scoring 14 points on the offensive end while using her length to be a disruptive force on defense.
Twice in the fourth quarter she tied the game and she pulled in a critical rebound with 1:12 to go with New York clinging to a one-point lead. Stewart’s 10 free throws were only two fewer than Minnesota had as a team the entire night. Wednesday was also her third 30-point game in a WNBA Finals, tying Angel McCoughtry for the most in finals history. — Ben Pickman, WNBA writer
Smith injuries limits Minnesota’s defensive success
So much of the Lynx defensive success throughout the regular season and playoffs stemmed from how Collier and forward Alanna Smith have played off of each other in Minnesota’s frontcourt. But Smith, who entered Game 3 dealing with a left ankle injury, appeared to be hampered through Wednesday’s contest. Early foul trouble was the initial culprit, but she landed hard toward the end of the second quarter trying to guard Jones in the post and appeared to injure her lower back. At halftime, Minnesota said she was questionable to return to the game with a back injury and though she started the third quarter, her mobility was clearly limited.
In her absence, Minnesota relied more heavily on Myisha Hines-Allen and New York took advantage. Though she was limited, Smith was a plus-20 in her 20 minutes, while Hines-Allen was a minus-19 in her 18 minutes. — Pickman
Fiebich limits McBride’s offensive production
For Game 3’s first 20 minutes, Lynx All-Star guard Kayla McBride helped her team get off to a torrid start. She scored 10 points in the first quarter as Minnesota jumped out to a 10-point lead. But from there, New York limited McBride’s production.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello made a crucial adjustment at the start of the third quarter, switching Fiebich off of Williams and onto McBride. McBride scored only six points in the second half on two field goal attempts. — Pickman
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(Photo: Pamela Costello / NBAE via Getty Images)
