NEW YORK — Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has seen a lot in her incredible career that has included four WNBA championships.
The historic rally by the Lynx to beat the Liberty 95-93 in a wild Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night ranks right up there as one of the best moments.
Minnesota rallied from 18 points down in the first half, matching the largest comeback in WNBA Finals history, and from 15 points down with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, a first in the WNBA postseason and only the second time it has happened in the league.
“So that ranks really high,” Reeve said. “I think it defines our team. Getting through difficult times. That’s what we’ve been talking about. You have to be mentally tough, resilient. … Thrilled that we could hang in there.”
Napheesa Collier‘s turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left in overtime lifted the Lynx to the win.
With the game tied, Collier faked in the lane and scored. New York had a chance to tie it, but Breanna Stewart‘s layup at the buzzer was off.
“The basketball gods were on our side tonight,” said Courtney Williams, who had 23 points, including a four-point play with 5.5 seconds left in regulation, to lead Minnesota.
Collier finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks…
