With the WNBA Finals expanding to a seven-game series starting this year, the 2024 WNBA Finals marked the final time that the league used a best-of-five series to decide the champion. A historic WNBA season that featured record-breaking viewership and attendance numbers culminated in a Finals showdown worth remembering.
The top two seeds in the league, the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, went at it in a war of attrition, as the Liberty attempted to win their first-ever WNBA championship, while the Lynx aimed for their fifth title (and first in seven years).
2024 WNBA Finals: New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx
Both teams had spectacular regular seasons followed by impressive playoff runs. New York reached the Finals after defeating the Las Vegas Aces 3-1 in a rematch of last year’s Finals. Minnesota, on the other hand, finished two games behind the Liberty in the regular season and had a classic semifinals matchup against the Connecticut Sun that went five games. The Lynx reached their seventh WNBA Finals, which is the most in league history.
Game 1
Game 1 turned out to be one of the best games in WNBA Finals history. After trailing by as many as 18 points, Minnesota fought its way back into the game.
A furious rally led by Courtney Williams brought the Lynx back into the game, and they even took the lead with 5.5 seconds left thanks to a four-point play. After Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart only hit one of two free throws, the game went to overtime.
Minnesota took care of business, securing the 95-93 comeback win in overtime. Napheesa Collier (21 points, eight rebounds, and three steals), Courtney Williams (23 points, five assists, and five rebounds), and Kayla McBride (22 points, four assists, and four 3s) led the way for the Lynx.
This marked the first WNBA Finals game in three years to go to overtime and the first time in WNBA playoff history that a team came from behind to win after being down 15+ points with just five minutes remaining.
The game was historic in a lot of ways, as 1.1 million viewers tuned in — the largest TV audience for any Game 1 in the WNBA Finals ever.
Game 2
Game 2 also made history, this time with the highest attendance for a Liberty game in Barclays Center at 18,046. These fans watched the home team prevail and even things up in the series. Simultaneously, 1.34 million viewers watched the game, making this the most-viewed Finals game in 23 years.
The Liberty set the tone with a 12-0 run to start the game. Minnesota fought hard and even came as close as within three points of New York at one point in the fourth quarter. However, the Liberty took care of business and ultimately won 80-66.
Breanna Stewart filled the stat sheet, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals (a WNBA Finals record).
Game 3
Game 3 was another tight battle. After a furious first-quarter start, the Lynx were up by as many as 15 points in the first half, leading 43-35 going into halftime. However, the Liberty rallied and erased the deficit, getting within one point of Minnesota.
Another close quarter followed as Collier tried to keep Minnesota in the game. Ultimately, however, a Sabrina Ionescu 3 with a single second remaining gave the Liberty the lead and the game, as New York won 80-77 in front of 19,521 people at the Target Center.
Jonquel Jones led New York with 21 points, eight rebounds, four 3s, and two blocks, while shooting 70% from the field and 80% from deep.
Game 4
Another game, another close contest. No team had a clear advantage at any point throughout Game 4. A 23-23 first quarter set the table for a back-and-forth encounter, and this was a one-point game at halftime.
Continuing the theme, the two teams tied 18-18 in the third quarter, and the score was evened up at 80 apiece with just two seconds remaining on the clock. However, a foul on Bridget Carleton gave her two free throws, which she nailed.
Ionescu got the ball and attempted to hit her second consecutive Finals game-winner, but she missed, and Minnesota tied the series 2-2.
All five of the Lynx’s starters scored in double figures, led by McBride (19 points and four assists), Collier (14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals), and Williams (15 points, seven assists, and four rebounds).
Game 5
Another intensely competitive game saw Minnesota start strong, opening with a 19-10 cushion. Going into halftime, the Lynx were up seven.
However, inspired by their rabid fans, the Liberty rallied back into the game in the second half, going into the final frame with a three-point lead.
With the Lynx leading 60-58 and 5.2 seconds left, Alanna Smith was called for a foul on Stewart. With marginal contact, the foul became a hot topic, especially after Stewart hit both free throws to send the game to overtime.
In one of the most controversial endings of any championship game, regardless of gender or sport, the Liberty won 67-62 to secure their first WNBA championship and give the city of New York its first champion in well over 50 years.
After the game, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas, and Shakira Austin all criticized the officiating. The foul and the 25-to-eight free-throw discrepancy were hot-button topics after the game.
Jonquel Jones was named the Finals MVP, and the Liberty won their first WNBA championship after losing in their previous five Finals appearances.
