The Minnesota Lynx find themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario, but also just two wins away from title number five.
The Minnesota Lynx have one more life left in the 2024 WNBA season. What positive momentum they had coming back to a record-setting home crowd on Wednesday was promptly extinguished by a three-point bomb by New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu. It wasn’t much different than what Courtney Williams did to the Liberty in game one.
However, just like New York bounced back to win two straight, it’s now Minnesota’s turn.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Game Info
- Who: #2 Minnesota Lynx (1-2) vs. #1 New York Liberty (2-1)
- When: Friday, October 18 at 7:00 PM CT
- Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, MN
- National TV: ESPN
What to Watch For
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Minnesota’s Finishing Ability
14 for 40.
35%.
That’s what the Lynx shot in the paint in game three. A brutal percentage that surely impacted the outcome of the game. Credit to the size and length of the Liberty, as they racked up nine blocks compared to one for the Lynx, but there were a ton of missed bunnies throughout the game.
14 for 40 in the paint tonight https://t.co/ATrg0ek4Nv
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) October 17, 2024
It also didn’t help that Minnesota’s starting center, Alanna Smith, was clearly hobbled after temporarily leaving the game with a back injury. She wasn’t moving right for the rest of the game, but toughed it out. In a three-point loss, Smith was a game-high +20 in her 20 minutes of the court. Fortunately for the Lynx, their injury report for game four is clean and Smith is a go. Will she be 100%? That’s the real question and a big factor for Minnesota cleaning up their looks in the paint.
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Can the Lynx Match the Liberty’s Size?
The narrative heading into the series was whether or not Minnesota’s undersized bigs could keep up with two true centers who are former MVPs. It has been a big storyline throughout three games, as New York has out rebounded Minnesota 37.3 to 30. The real difference in that number is the offensive rebounds, with the Liberty winning that handily 12 to 5.3. Though the Lynx were able to manage that number in game three (Winning OREB 7 to 6), the Liberty have chosen to go even bigger.
Courtney Vandersloot, a five-time All-Star, has seen her minutes diminish from 23, to 11, to just 8. Who’s been getting those minutes? The 6’5” Nyara Sabally. Her minutes have climbed from 6, to 9, to 11. Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello has made it clear that she wants to maintain the advantage in the paint, which is very likely why Minnesota has struggled scoring in the paint so much. Myisha Hines-Allen and maybe even Dorka Juhász may have their numbers called even more if Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve decides to fight fire with fire.
Prediction
The Lynx have not lost three straight all season. The home crowd will be looking for revenge just like New York got after their epic game one collapse. Minnesota will finally get “The Bridget Carleton Game” that they’ve been waiting for, as she drills six triples. The script has already been written. Game five is destiny.
Lynx win in a blowout, 93-79.