Focus of Liberty Shifts Towards Regaining Health Amidst Slip for WNBA's Number One Spot
Liberty and Lynx Renew Rivalry in Late-Season Showdown
The 2025 WNBA season has seen a significant storyline unfold as the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, two of the league's top teams, prepare for a highly anticipated four-game series in late July and early August.
The delay in their initial meeting, nearly nine months after the 2024 WNBA Finals, has lessened the "rematch" feeling for some players, who view the new season as a fresh start. However, the upcoming series, scheduled for July 30, August 10th, 16th, and 19th, promises to intensify the rivalry and potentially shape the championship expectations for both teams.
The Lynx, who currently lead the league with a 22-5 record, are considered championship favourites. The Liberty, with a 17-8 record, trail closely behind, leading the Eastern Conference. In their first meeting of the season, the Lynx emerged victorious, 100-93, capitalising on the Liberty's injury issues and smaller lineup.
Injuries have affected the Liberty more significantly. Finals MVP Jonquel Jones missed much of the season but returned from an ankle injury late July. Breanna Stewart, a two-time season MVP for New York, has been sidelined due to a leg injury, and her status for the July 30 game remains uncertain. The Lynx, on the other hand, have generally been a dominant team, entering the season healthier.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has criticised the scheduling, calling it a "big miss" and considering it common sense to schedule the rematch earlier. Barring a collapse, the Lynx are in a strong position to take the top seed for the playoffs, securing home-court advantage throughout.
The Liberty should aim to secure the No. 2 position in the WNBA standings for home-court advantage in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. Despite their current standings, the Liberty players have expressed that they are not overly concerned, focusing on improving their game and taking each match as it comes.
The battle for first place in the WNBA standings and potential home-court advantage in the 2025 WNBA Finals may be determined by the regular-season series between the Liberty and Lynx. In their recent match, the Liberty managed to reduce a 15-point deficit to just four points in the fourth quarter, demonstrating their formidable nature.
As the season progresses, the intense rivalry between the Liberty and Lynx is set to reach new heights, with both teams eager to prove their mettle and secure a place in the 2025 WNBA Finals. The upcoming series promises to be a thrilling spectacle for WNBA fans.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source]
In the upcoming series between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, both teams will aim to secure a dominant position and potentially shape their championship expectations, as the rivalry intensifies (Follows: The upcoming series, scheduled for July 30, August 10th, 16th, and 19th, promises to intensify the rivalry and potentially shape the championship expectations for both teams).
With Breanna Stewart's status for the July 30 game uncertain due to a leg injury, the Liberty must capitalize on home-court advantage in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs, should they secure the No. 2 position, to compete against the championship-favourite Lynx (Follows: Despite their current standings, the Liberty players have expressed that they are not overly concerned, focusing on improving their game and taking each match as it comes).
