The highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Finals is set to kick off on Thursday as the Minnesota Lynx face off against the New York Liberty in Game 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Liberty, seeking their first championship, will host the Lynx for the first two games before the series shifts to Minnesota.
Minnesota secured their spot in the finals by outlasting the Connecticut Sun in a thrilling five-game series. Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams combined for an impressive 47 points in Game 5, leading the Lynx to an 88-77 victory. The team’s only remaining player from their 2017 championship-winning roster is Cecilia Zandalasini, who returned this offseason after a four-year absence.
Meanwhile, the Liberty exacted revenge against the Las Vegas Aces, dispatching the back-to-back defending champions in four games. Breanna Stewart was fueled by Becky Hammon’s comments from last year, while Sabrina Ionescu has been on fire since the first round.
The two teams have a history, having faced each other four times this season. The Lynx took the season series 2-1, winning the first and third matchups, and also emerged victorious in the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final with a 94-89 win on June 26. Napheesa Collier was named Commissioner’s Cup MVP, while Bridget Carleton made a significant impact with 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
In terms of the predicted starting lineups, the Lynx are expected to feature Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith. The Liberty, on the other hand, are likely to start Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones.
Looking at the odds, the Liberty are favored to win Game 1, with a moneyline of -265 compared to the Lynx’s +210. The spread is set at -6 for the Liberty and +6 for the Lynx, with a total of 159.5 points.
Given their recent performances, it’s likely that the Liberty will take a 1-0 series lead. However, the Lynx have shown resilience and determination, making for a closely contested game. The stage is set for an thrilling WNBA Finals, and fans can catch the action on ESPN, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. EST on Thursday.
