The Lynx are here because …
There’s no problem Napheesa Collier can’t solve. Offence? She had at least 26 points on 57.9% shooting to close out the semifinal series with Connecticut. Defense? She walked away with Defensive Player of the Year honors last week. She’s exactly the star to go up against Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, a Liberty one-two punch that Collier has already battled with on the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team. AL
They have absolutely earned their place. Every team has been extraordinary in some way this season except the Lynx have consistently demonstrated that they were here to be taken seriously. It’s a privilege to see this team enter their first finals since 2017. They have been firing on all cylinders throughout the playoff run and will pose a significant challenge for the Liberty. S.K
Freedom is here because …
Ionesecu did not let herself be defined by ‘the worst match of her career’. After scoring a paltry four points on seven shot attempts in New York’s Game 3 clash with Las Vegas, the fifth-year sharpshooter bounced back with 22 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three to shut down the Aces and upset the disappointment of to avenge the 2023 Liberty final. With New York City on the brink of its first basketball title in half a century, Ionescu, the cornerstone of Liberty’s Brooklyn relaunch, certainly has more great achievements in store. AL
They always would be. It would have been more surprising if the Liberty had not been in the final than it is now. New York got three phenomenal players in 2023 – Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot – and has been steadily refining since then. They turned last year’s disappointment into the fuel they needed to dominate this year, and these finals are theirs to lose. They are a powerhouse. S.K
This WNBA season is over …
A chance to learn how much people who don’t know much about women’s basketball enjoy hearing themselves talk, and to learn how little the league itself seems interested in directing that discourse so as not to villainize the players. It seems like the noise for the league was a little hard to hear the constant ringing of the cash register. AL
A learning experience for everyone involvedfrom fans to athletes to coaches to journalists. This season has been incredible in many ways. It was so personally satisfying to see how well women’s basketball is finally being received, and professionally it was a thrill to see the athletes on the floor. The league is certainly experiencing some growing pains, but the future looks bright. That being said, the racism that plagues some players and coaches is absolutely unacceptable, whether it comes from fans or people within the organization, and I hope the league develops better practices and policies to deal with it. S.K
The coaching benefit goes to…
Cheryl Reeve. She’s been here six times before, won four times and just started leading Team USA to gold in Paris. As I said at the last roundtable, if Reeve has a good hand, I can’t bet against her. AL
Reeve is currently in a very special place. She and her coaches have put together a team that perfectly complements their key players. Based on the team’s performance, it is clear that all the pieces have fallen into place at the right time, which is truly a credit to her leadership. There’s a reason she’s Coach of the Year. S.K
Unknown player to watch …
Freedom Pivot Nyara Sabally has been a boost from the bench, making the most of its limited usage. In the closeout game against the Aces, the lively German recorded eight points, two boards, two steals and a block in just 10 minutes on the floor. It’s the kind of performance that earns more confidence and time from coach Sandy Brondello. AL
I really enjoyed it Leonie Fiebichperformance during this season. She was drafted in 2020 but didn’t play her first season until this year, and it was a lot of fun to see her finally get on the field. She talks about the benefits the league gets from foreign players and brings a cool dynamic to the Liberty. S.K
The finals MVP will be …
Necklace, see above. AL
Necklace. She led the Lynx all season and was exceptional during the playoffs. Based on numbers alone, she is the dominant player. No matter who wins the final, she will fight all the way. S.K
The winner will be …
Minnesota in four. After a seven-year absence, the industry’s best-run franchise reaches the top for a staggering fifth time and extends its all-time lead in the league championship standings. It’s just a shame Prince, the ultimate women’s hoops fan, isn’t here partying with his hometown team like it’s 2015. AL
Freedom in five. If Ionescu continues to play like the best guard in the league, the Liberty will win it all. This would be her first championship and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t think she has what it takes to lead the team all the way. S.K