Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve Praises Team For Finding A Way To Win Against Liberty

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Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her satisfaction after her team managed to fend off a late surge by the New York Liberty on Wednesday. The game marked the first encounter of the season between the 2024 WNBA Finals teams, with the Lynx securing a 100-93 victory. Napheesa Collier stood out with 30 points and nine rebounds, shooting 11-of-16 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Despite Minnesota's control for much of the match, they had to dig deep to resist Liberty's comeback attempt. The Lynx led 79-66 at the start of the fourth quarter and scored 32 points to Liberty's 31, ensuring their win at Target Center. "I'm really happy," Reeve told reporters. "It was important that on a night where Courtney [Williams] struggled, others stepped up."

The Lynx had maintained an unbeaten home record this season until a recent loss to the Atlanta Dream. Despite this being a Finals rematch, McBride emphasized that Minnesota's primary focus was on recovering from that defeat. "It's fun to compete at a high level against the second-best team in the league," McBride said.

McBride highlighted that their main goal was defending their home court rather than dwelling on narratives surrounding their opponents. "We didn't need a lot of motivation," McBride noted. "We had just lost our last home game." She stressed that regardless of who they faced, losing two consecutive home games was not an option for them.

Reeve acknowledged New York's strong performance and credited her team's ability to score more as crucial to their victory. "Maybe the time they spent together post-Dallas game showed itself," she remarked about New York's play. However, she noted that if the game had lasted longer, it might have been a different story.

"A 31-point fourth quarter is not ideal," Reeve admitted, emphasizing how challenging winning in this league can be. She praised her team's resilience in finding a way to win despite facing difficulties during the match.

The Lynx were determined not to let any team walk away with another victory at their home venue. McBride mentioned how narratives surrounding New York added pressure but reiterated their focus on competing hard for every minute of play.

The win against New York was significant for Minnesota as it helped them regain momentum after their previous setback against Atlanta Dream. The team's ability to bounce back showcased their determination and commitment to maintaining their strong performance throughout the season.