Minnesota Lynx Upset Predictions, Face Liberty in WNBA Finals

The appearance of the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals came as a minor surprise, given predictions made at the onset of the 2024 season. However, it is the Minnesota Lynx‘s playoff run that has provided the tournament’s biggest upset.

Among preseason favorites were the Las Vegas Aces, holders of two consecutive championships, who stumbled earlier in the season. Ultimately, the Liberty defeated them in the semifinals. Other strong contenders included the consistent Connecticut Sun, as well as the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury, both teams fortified with significant offseason acquisitions.

However, none of these teams reached the finals. Instead, it is the Minnesota Lynx, a team that finished the previous season with a 19-21 record, who have risen to the challenge. The Lynx found themselves ranked ninth in ESPN’s preseason predictions, although the New York Post held them in slightly higher regard, placing them sixth.

Propelled to the finals, the Lynx have demonstrated remarkable consistency. Their exceptional performance includes a second-place finish with a 30-10 record, punctuated by a 13-2 streak after the Olympic break. Head coach Cheryl Reeve attributed the team’s success to mutual trust and chemistry. “They were there for each other to cover, and the joy that they did it with—I hadn’t experienced that in a couple of years,” Reeve remarked.

The Lynx’s success is underpinned by their exceptional defense, which ranks second in the league with a 94.8 rating. “They just trust it, and they rotate so well,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello before Game 1, noting the Lynx’s cohesive play.

Leading the Lynx is Napheesa Collier, who has made significant strides and become a top-three player worldwide. In her sixth season, Collier averaged 20.4 points, along with a career-high 9.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Her performance earned her the second place in MVP voting.

The starting lineup also features key contributors such as sharpshooters Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton and experienced free agents Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith. The Lynx’s history of success is notable, having been a dominant force in the 2010s with four championships, featuring stars like Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen.

Collier, along with coach Reeve, seeks to guide the Lynx back to their former glory. “It wouldn’t mean as much to me as it would in terms of how I feel about them,” Reeve said about potential championship success, emphasizing her pride in the team’s progress and resilience.