The Minnesota Lynx’ chase for a league record has reached another level as Napheesa Collier propelled her team to the finals with an 88-77 win over the Connecticut Sun. They are now sitting just 3 wins away from a fifth championship title and the team might be a little too excited.

The Lynx has trodden with entirely different core players from its previous dynasty. Moreover, it’s Collier’s maiden run in the finals. Despite that, she has taken full charge of her group and is feeling so confident that she ended up calling out the New York Liberty with a challenge.

After the Lynx took over the Sun in the last leg of the semi-finals tonight, Collier was feeling the energy. So speaking about the win in the post-game conference, she added, “It feels amazing. And the best part about it, I think, is just how much fun we’re having as a team… And it feels good. I think we’re enjoying the ride. I mean, it would be nice to close it out at three. You know, not have to go to five to stay together.”

That’s where when the Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve interrupted her and humorously said, “We’re gonna cut her off,” and tapped on her hand on Collier’s arm, indicating to hold on her horses and simply said, “Next question.”

Now, this brings us to the crux of the situation, i.e. a fierce battle that will continue no further than three games.

Napheesa Collier calling out the New York Liberty for final battle

Throughout the regular season, the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx have remained the top 2 teams. They will now meet in the WNBA finals for this year’s league title, having their agenda in mind.

On one hand, it’s Minnesota, one of the league dynasties to have won 4 championships namely in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, to be the first to win five. The Defensive Player of the Year resorted to elevated confidence and said, “It feels amazing. We worked so hard for this and when your hard work pays off, it’s the best feeling in the world. But, not done! We’ve got the finals to go. So, hopefully, we get it in three, not five.”

Meanwhile, on the other, it’s New York, looking for their first championship title. The 2nd consecutive finalists have consistently led the league in offense with 107.0. But if the Liberty were to dread one team in the finals, it would be the Lynx. Not only have they ranked second defensively this season, but the Cheryl Reeves’ led team also became the only team to hand Liberty a loss in the season series, going 3-1.

Hungry still, Breanna Stewart added, “We haven’t done anything yet…We’re ready to go. Just the feeling of not (being) satisfied.” The Liberty, being the top seed in the best-of-five series, has the home-court advantage of hosting Games 1, 2, and Game 5 (if necessary) in Brooklyn.