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The New York Liberty (15-3) will play for his or her second-consecutive WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship after they host the Minnesota Lynx (13-3) this Tuesday, June 25. The sport shall be streamed through Prime Video, and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
One of many goals of the Commissioner’s Cup is to showcase the WNBA’s high expertise, and it’s honest to say that the Cup’s recently-revamped qualification system succeeded in that regard. The Liberty and Lynx are at present No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, within the WNBA standings, whereas they rank No. 2 and No. 1 within the league in net rating. On the floor, it appears as if Tuesday’s recreation shall be a fair matchup.
The Lynx defeated the Liberty handily, nonetheless, of their first meeting of the season. Minnesota was scorching-hot from behind the arc, hitting 14 3-pointers, whereas New York’s offense was uncharacteristically poor, with 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart’s 20-point, 11-rebound efficiency the lone spotlight.
Since then, New York has been the most well liked group within the WNBA, profitable 11 of 12 video games and leapfrogging the Connecticut Solar, who had been the league’s high group as lately as this previous weekend. Regardless of the prolonged absence of start line guard Courtney Vandersloot, who has missed the group’s final eight video games for private causes, the Liberty’s sheer quantity of playmaking, taking pictures and rebounding has carried them again thus far: one other Commissioner’s Cup Championship recreation.
To be able to repeat as Commissioner’s Cup champions, the Liberty is not going to solely want to resist the Lynx’ 3-point onslaught; they’ll even have to beat a moderately unfavorable scheduling spot. The statuses of Vandersloot and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee soreness), are questionable for Tuesday, and New York shall be enjoying in its fourth recreation in six days, so fatigue could very properly be an element.
No matter who fits up and who doesn’t, count on each groups to push the envelope offensively. New York and Minnesota each like taking pictures the lengthy ball—Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve told media that 3-pointers “may very well be a factor that decides the sport” and that she’s planning for no less than 30 of them to be taken by each groups—they usually even have among the greatest frontcourt expertise within the WNBA. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier (20.9 factors and 10.4 rebounds per recreation) is placing collectively one other stellar statistical marketing campaign, whereas New York’s Jonquel Jones has been one of many league’s most effective scorers, posting a true shooting percentage of 70.1 %.
Granted, Minnesota held Jones in test again in Might (4 factors and 5 fouls in 28 minutes), and the Lynx have been enjoying the sort of protection that makes it exhausting on nearly anybody. They’re main the WNBA in defensive rating, permitting 90.6 factors per 100 possessions, and rank second in each blocks (5.5) and steals per recreation (9.6).
How Jones responds shall be simply one among many elements that may decide how Tuesday’s recreation goes. If she and Stewart are capable of get going early, it may very well be a protracted night time for Minnesota’s frontcourt, particularly if Sabrina Ionescu is ready to match their inside presence along with her signature long-distance pictures. The Lynx could have a depth benefit, although, and shall be better-rested than their opponents. Can New York persevere, or will Minnesota win its first Commissioner’s Cup Championship?
Recreation info
Minnesota Lynx (13-3) vs. New York Liberty (15-3)
When: Tuesday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET
The place: UBS Area in Elmont, NY
The best way to watch: Prime Video
Lynx harm report: Diamond Miller (uncertain; knee)
Liberty harm report: Courtney Vandersloot (questionable; return to play conditioning), Betnijah Laney (questionable; knee), Nyara Sabally (out; again)
