The Minnesota Lynx have stolen Game 1 vs the New York Liberty after a cardiac comeback win in overtime, 95-93, to draw first blood in the 2024 WNBA Finals.

After a dominant first half from New York, Minnesota stormed back behind a huge scoring surge in the 4th quarter to take the lead in the dying seconds of the game.

The Liberty led by 15 with 5 minutes left in the game before the Lynx unleashed their furious run. It was led by Courtney Williams, who sank back-to-back threes with under 2 minutes to go. One of them was a four-point play as Williams got fouled by Sabrina Ionescu to give Minnesota the go-ahead lead late.

Breanna Stewart had a chance to win it for the Liberty in regulation but she missed the free throw that could’ve given New York the lead and the win, sending the game into OT.

In overtime, 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier showed her wares that she’s not just a defensive player when she gave the Lynx the final lead for the final tally on a tough fadeaway jumper.

Stewart had a chance again to send the game to a 2nd overtime but she missed a point-blank layup at the buzzer.

Collier finished with 21 points on 10-16 shooting with 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Minnesota’s comeback. Williams chipped in 23 points as the team’s leading scorer while Kayla McBride added 22 markers.

Stewart and Ionescu, New York’s two superstars, scored 18 and 19 points respectively but struggled from the field overall (6-21 and 8-26) as the Liberty lost home court advantage following Game 1’s loss. Jonquel Jones spearheaded the Liberty with 24 points and 10 rebounds but it was not enough to stop the Lynx’s comeback.

Game 2 will still be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Monday, October 14 at 3:00 p.m.