New York Liberty Franchise won the first WNBA title, after a Peace-It-Out series last October Minnesota LinksThe game went into 5 overtime, where Liberty strongly strongly stood up to 67–62. Links were destroyed by the result and angry with crime. Most of their rosters with both teams are likely to bring back, the rivalry was expected to be in 2025 as red-hot.
But after nine months, he is yet to play this season. In his possible meeting in the second consecutive Commissioner Cup final, his possible meeting evaporated with the loss of independence Indiana feverWhich took the cup title on links on 1 July.
Now Liberty and Links finally meet again. The first of his four regular season matches is at the target center in Minianpolis (8 am ET, ESPN). Links (22-5) of the first place have lost only one regular season home game this season. Nefeesa colirAll-star game MVP and League’s leading scorer 23.5 PPG is a favorite for season MVP.
Liberty, second in standing on 17-8, has been more fluctuating due to injuries. Zoncl Jones2024 final MVP, returned from ankle injury on 22 July and played only 13 of the 25 matches in New York. Twice season mVP Breena stewart On Saturday, Los Angeles suffered a leg injury in disadvantage and then missed the damage in Dallas on Monday. His availability for Wednesday is uncertain.
Alexa Philipou, Kevin Pelton and Michael Voepel of ESPN watch three factors that will determine Wednesday’s game when Linux finally took Liberty.
New season, different matchup
Pelton: When Liberty returns to full force, they will look different from last year’s team that played Baneija lani-haemilton 28.8 MPg in the final. Laney-Hamilton saw a defensive time on both the all-star guard of the links, defensively, Kayla macbridge And Curtney WilliamsIn his place, New York is now Natasha cloudAfter facing links with Minnesota’s backcourse, after facing links Phoenix mercury In the early stages of the playoffs.
By decisive game 5, Liberty Coach Sandy was favoring a big lineup with Bondelo backup center Nyara Sabli With Starter Jones and 6 -Foot -4 forward duo Leoni fibich And Stewart. The game 5 of Saballi had 13 points and seven boards, playing 14 minutes with Jones.
Saballi will not be available for Wednesday’s game as it manages the discomfort of the knee. Due to their own absence and disappearance of 12 games of Jones, both centers have played just three minutes together through the WNBA advanced data. New York is Isabel Harrison As a center alternative, but we would probably see smaller lineups from freedom compared to links in the finals of 2024.
Performance among early guards
Voepel: How will the top guards of each team grow on the occasion? Sabarina Eonacu Scoring (19.3 PPG) leads and steals (1.5 spg). She ranks second in aid (5.8) for Cloud (6.0), which is also 10.1 PPG on an average and is always known for her defense.
Minnesota is a team of Kolier, no question. She can change the syllabus of a game single -handedly. But this makes a big difference when guards Williams (14.1 PPG, 6.1 APG) and McBrid (14.0, 3.2) are “on”. The pair has combined for 98 3-pointers, while compared to 89 for IONESCU and Cloud.
90-86 home loss of links Atlanta dream Sunday was an example of colir excellence on everything (14 out of 18 from the area for 32 digits, plus 8 rebounds, 7 aids, 4 blocks) but not enough to be enough, especially at the defensive end. For the season, links have allowed only an average of 75.4 ppg, the best in the league. The Collier is a defensive player of the year, but again, the collective defense of Minnesota has brought Links to the first place.
Which players are available for New York
Philippou: There is no doubt about this: If Stewart is unavailable on Wednesday, such a highly anticipated final will apply a sponge about rematch. In particular, Brondelo did not share a time -line for Stewart’s return when asked from Monday, and in the last two matches it became clear that Liberty is particularly missing it at the defensive end. Sources told ESPN that when Stewart (right leg) avoided a significant injury to the exit of Saturday, including any ligament damage, the team is taking a cautious approach and wanted to give it time to recover, especially when she was out with a heavy weight when Jones was out.
The depth of the frontcourt of Liberty has not only taken a toll for this year but also a toll in this season. Kennedy Burke It was also sidelined on Monday. Burke was given a rest designation after experienced cramps and missed the second half against the sparks at the end of this week. Burke has an average of just 7.5 minutes per game in Postsen last year, but has been a large part of Liberty’s identity this season, shooting 21.8 minutes an average and 3 to 47.5% per game, and New York can use it on the floor on Wednesday.
Without the wings, without burke and stewart, Bondelo used its 10th different starting lineup of summer, tied for the third highest in WNBA, and gave Harrison the first beginning of the season. But after the total protective recession, come out of the locker room under 27, Bondelo went with a small lineup, replacing Harrison Marine JohannesAnd given Stephanie Telbot More of one run.
Liberty and links meet three times in August – we can interact one more day on the bizarre scheduling of this series – with Remach set for 10 August in New York, 16 August in Minnesota and 19 August in Barclay.
And by then, New York will be likely Emma miseman – Before deciding to sign with Liberty, it was decided to sign with Liberty- which was included in the fold. Sources told ESPN that Meesman is working to secure his work visa and is expected to happen soon after his arrival.
Nevertheless, New York’s recent injury Bug – especially impressed with Jones and Stewart – underlines that its biggest obstacle in repeating may not be links, but whether Liberty in September and October is quite healthy.
