By winning in Game 1 of the Finals after being up to 18 points behind in the second quarter, the Minnesota Lynx tied a league record. Better still, no team has ever managed to win while trailing by 15 points or more in the last five minutes of a WNBA game: 0-183…
“It really defines our team, being able to get through difficult times” explains Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach. “That’s what we talk about: you have to have mental toughness and resilience. We must look inward, not blame others and trust each other. And that's what we did. »
Nibble the advance
Overtaken by Jonquel Jones and his teammates in the first quarter, the Lynx had already raised the bar in the second quarter, before regaining new brilliance in the fourth quarter.
“It’s something we were talking about, making three consecutive stops, coming back little by little” describes Napheesa Collier. “We weren't thinking about the point spread, but rather the possession we needed to make a stop and score a basket. That's what we talked about at halftime. »
Paradoxically, as we know, it is often easier to play being the hunter than the hunted. Largely in the lead very early in the match, the New York Liberty thus began to play to maintain his lead, and not lose, when the Lynx threw all their forces into the battle to try to achieve an exploit.
The old demons of Breanna Stewart and Liberty
“We can't play not to lose but I think we have started to play a little [comme ça] »recognizes Sabrina Ionescu. “We had a big lead, we were looking at the clock and it seems like we took our foot off the gas a little bit. And it cost us dearly at the end of the match.”
Breanna Stewart had several opportunities to prevent the hold-up but she missed the basket that would have given her team the victory at the end of the fourth quarter, then the equalizer in overtime.
“I want to take these shots”she reacts after her 6/21. “Knowing my teammates and knowing that everyone has confidence in me is important. It's about turning the page while making sure I'm aggressive every time I'm on the field. Although obviously, as a player, it’s very frustrating.”
No time to procrastinate too much anyway with a Game 2 that the Liberty cannot lose, Sunday (9:00 p.m. French time). Because then, the series (best of five games) switches to Minnesota…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
