Minnesota Lynx beat New York Liberty 94-89 to win the Commissioner's Cup

Minnesota Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, made it clear to the WNBA that they are a championship-caliber squad. On Tuesday  night's Minnesota Lynx victory over the New York Liberty 94-89 gave Minnesota Lynx their first Commissioner's Cup , with Bridget Carleton scoring 23 points and Collier contributing 21.

In the four-year history of the competition, Minnesota Lynx became the fourth different club to win the Cup, continuing the trend of the home team losing. After winning in Las Vegas the previous season, New York was attempting to become the first team to repeat as champions.

Late in the third quarter, Carleton and Cecilia Zandalasini each made a 3-pointer to knot the score at 60. This sparked a 10-0 run that lasted the whole quarter. Breanna Stewart scored nine consecutive baskets to bring New York Liberty within 70-69, but they never regained the lead. Courtney Williams and Carleton scored Minnesota's next five points, and New York never threatened again.

Courtney Vandersloot return for New York Liberty

Napheesa Collier, who added six rebounds and three assists, was named the game's MVP. Stewart scored 24 points, while Sabrina Ionescu contributed 23. Jonquel Jones, who has been great for the Liberty this season, faltered on Tuesday night. She missed all three field-goal tries and did not score until she made two free throws with 1:20 remaining. 

The game was shifted from the Liberty's usual home, the Barclays Centre, to UBS stadium, approximately 20 miles away, since the NBA draft was taking place there Wednesday night and there wasn't enough time to renovate the stadium after the game. Halfway through the second quarter, New York had established a 47-37 lead; however, the Lynx responded with eight straight baskets to pull within two. At the half, Kayla Thornton had 14 points and Ionescu had 18, giving the Liberty a 50-47 lead.

It was great to see Courtney Vandersloot return for the Liberty after she missed playing since June 4 in order to be with her mother, who died away two weeks ago. She checked in for the first time with 3:30 left in the first quarter, and she finished with four points.