The Minnesota Lynx will not be thinking about revenge when they tip off against the New York Liberty on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.
As far as the Lynx are concerned, last season’s WNBA Finals are in the rearview mirror. Minnesota (22-5) is focused on this season as it prepares to face New York (17-8).
“It’s been so long, like, it’s almost August,” Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said. “So, it’s just two top teams going against each other. … It doesn’t really feel like retribution.”
It might feel like a playoff game, though.
The Liberty are eager to get back in the win column after losing back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings. The team held a closed-door meeting after its latest loss to discuss what needs to change in order to snap the skid.
Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu said she and her teammates need to limit mistakes.
“We’re working hard,” Ionescu said. “But we need to be more consistent.”
Minnesota also hopes to bounce back after losing 90-86 against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. It marked the first home loss in league play for the Lynx, whose only other setback at home came in the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Indiana Fever.
Collier leads the WNBA with 23.5 points per game to go with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game. Courtney Williams averages 14.1 points along with providing a team-high 6.1 assists per game, and Kayla McBride ranks third with 14.0 points per game.
New York’s top scorer is Ionescu, who averages 19.3 points and provides a threat from beyond the 3-point line. Breanna Stewart averages 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while Jonquel Jones contributes 13.8 points and 9.3 boards per game.
Stewart’s status for Wednesday is uncertain after she sustained a lower-leg injury Saturday against the Sparks. She is expected to travel to Minnesota with the team.
“Hopefully, she’ll be OK,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said.
Another subplot in Wednesday’s matchup involves Belgian forward Emma Meesseman, who chose to sign a free agent contract last week with the Liberty instead of the Lynx.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve did not mince words when asked about the signing.
“She made the wrong choice,” Reeve said.
Now, the Lynx insist, they are looking forward.
“Our group has a good enough maturity about us that we know it’s just another game on our schedule,” guard Bridget Carleton said. “… I feel like the narrative from last year is almost dead by this point.”
–Field Level Media
