Phee and Stewie fight for the title

(1) New York Liberty vs. (2) Minnesota Lynx

Game 1: Lynx at Liberty: Thursday, October 10, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 2: Lynx at Liberty: Sunday, October 13, 3:00 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 3: Liberty at Lynx: Wednesday, October 16, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 4: Liberty at Lynx: Friday, October 18, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN (if required)

Game 5: Lynx at Liberty: Sunday, October 20, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN (if required)

Matchup Stats: Freedom vs. Lynx | Lynx against freedom

And then there were two. The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx will face each other in the WNBA Finals for the first time in history. To get here, the Liberty defeated the Atlanta Dream, dominated the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces and won the series 3-1. As for the Lynx, they won against the Phoenix Mercury and emerged victorious in Game 5 against the Connecticut Sun. Deep down, this is what we basketball fans wanted: the two top-seeded teams fighting for the ultimate crown.

Historically, only one of these franchises has been favored in the Finals. The Lynx have won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), tied for the most all-time with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm. Cheryl Reeve, the 2024 Coach of the Year, was the head coach for all four titles. Liberty has now finished runner-up five times since the league's debut season in 1997. That's the most a franchise has ever made it to the finals and lost.

Back in that regular season, the Lynx had the Liberty's number and won three of the four meetings, including the Commissioner's Cup championship in June. Minnesota is the only team that has beaten New York multiple times this season. But this is the postseason and so far both teams' superstars have played. The Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu is averaging an incredible 20.7 ppg in the playoffs. shoot a glowing fire 46% from 3-point land. Breanna Stewart was a ballhawk on defense, scoring 20 points per game at will (while adding eight blocks and six steals in the playoffs). And Leonie Fiebich, at 1.90 m tall, has proven to be an integral part of this Liberty squad.

But the Lynx's Napheesa Collier may be playing the best basketball in the league right now. She's averaging nearly 30 points per hour in the postseason – don't forget that 42-point outburst in the first round! She scored poetically around the rim (59% on 2-pointers) and drilled 45% from deep. Every movement is fluid; Every return move is diligent. She is almost unstoppable. Additionally, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year led the team's best defensive team with two blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Collier point guard Courtney Williams, who scored 24 points and seven assists in Game 5 of the semifinals, is also peaking at the right time.

Reeve and Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello both have championship titles. The game-to-game adjustments and defensive schemes will be top notch. Such pleasure awaits us.

Main actors:

Jonquel Jones, New York

Jones ran into early foul trouble in Game 3 of the semifinals against Las Vegas. She had to remain seated for several minutes, starting in the seventh minute of the second quarter. When she sat on the bench, it was a real eye-catcher for the spectators Only how important Jones is to this Liberty team. They missed their goals (at all three levels) and strong defensive presence. But honestly, some of their fouls were unnecessary. Fouls you don't commit even though you know you're an extremely valuable asset to your team's chances of winning. She needs to play smarter; Minnesota will attack Jones, try to make her nervous and take her out of the equation entirely. To avoid becoming blocky or too aggressive with hedges, it is crucial to stay on the ground.

Jones averaged just 10 points per game on 25 shots in the three-game regular season series. That's only about eight shots per game. In the Commissioner's Cup, she went 0-3 and scored a paltry three points, all from the free throw line. This can't happen again. New York should take advantage of Minnesota's lack of post size in the Finals by sending Jones deep to the basket and letting Jones smash the offensive glass.

Jones was outstanding in last season's finale. She scored more than 20 points in a row. The Liberty will be expected to put up a similar performance as they have home court advantage.

Bridget Carelton, Minnesota

Minnesota (and Liberty) fans remember what Carelton did during the Commissioner's Cup in New York. A team-high 23 points, six 3-pointers, five assists and three steals. Some even say she should have won the game's MVP award for her late rise. But stats aside, Carelton has the confidence to come to New York and make a real difference. We as fans want an old-fashioned penalty shootout. The punch from Ionescu and Carelton should make us grab umbrellas because it's raining for 3 seconds. Carelton has that power. She can get hot quickly.

The Lynx are at their best when they move the ball – they lead the league in team assists. However, there were outbursts in the Sun series when the ball became sticky. It would stay on one side of the field and not go around the horn as usual. Shooters like Carelton suffer when that happens. She scored a combined eight points in the last two semi-final competitions. She is primed for a breakthrough performance in these finals. With Collier drawing more attention and potentially doubling teams, Carelton must float to the open spots along the arc to make himself available and then knock down the open jumper.

It's the finale, baby! Everyone has to do their best, including Carelton and Jones. Phee and Stewie, former UConn teammates and summer Olympic gold medalists, are currently on the rise, but only one can be crowned this season's WNBA champion. The Final Quest begins Thursday on ESPN.

WNBA reporter Jordan Robinson writes columns about WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at @HeyJordanR. The views on this site do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.