The Minnesota Lynx probably never imagined they would give another 17-point lead again to the New York Liberty in Game 2, especially after pulling off a historic comeback from a similar deficit in their previous game. While Lynx seemed poised to make another successful chase, this time the Liberty had other plans as in the final three minutes, they unleashed a flurry of scoring that clinched the victory and tied the series at 1-1.

After suffering a tough 14-point defeat against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, Lynx’s head coach Cheryl Reeve, and her players faced the media to discuss the game and outline their plans moving forward. During the press conference, one reporter asked Reeve to pinpoint the key differences that contributed to the loss. Without missing a beat, the head coach responded confidently, showcasing her clear understanding of where her team currently stands and what they need to improve upon.

“A huge difference. Right, so both games they’ve gotten, you know, help from, apart their, you know, they have a big 5, right? Their starters are all very capable, just like our starters are all very capable. And you need players beyond your starters and for 2 games they’ve done that. And you know, we’re having trouble getting that consistently, but we’ve gotta have that,” Reeve told media. 

Reeve pointed to the Lynx’s bench strength as a significant factor in the loss, as it contributed just five points to the scoreboard—entirely from Natisha Hiedeman. Despite having players like Cecilia Zandalasini and Myisha Hines-Allen on the court for nearly ten minutes, they were unable to convert any of their field goal attempts.

In contrast, the Liberty’s bench made a noticeable impact, with every player who stepped onto the floor, including Courtney Vandersloot, Nyara Sabally, and Kayla Thornton, contributing to the score. Their combined efforts added up to seven points, highlighting the depth and effectiveness of the Liberty’s bench in the game. Additionally, the Liberty bench brought more seasoned experience (Vandersloot and Thornton) compared to the Lynx’s, which likely played a role in their strong performance on the court.

Well, Reeve had another significant concern now that the series is tied, with three more games left to play.

Cheryl Reeve left disappointed with Minnesota Lynx’s performance in Game 2

After overcoming an 18-point deficit in their previous game, Cheryl Reeve likely emphasized to her players the importance of avoiding careless mistakes that could let the Liberty build a significant lead once again. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen as the start of the game echoed their previous encounter, with the Liberty jumping out to an early lead and ending the first quarter ahead by 10 points.

The story of this game mirrored that of Game 1, with a familiar pattern unfolding until the final minutes. The Lynx fought hard and managed to close the gap, trailing the Liberty by just two points with about four minutes remaining on the clock. However, this time the Liberty tightened their defense and shifted into high gear, quickly extending their lead to 14 points in the last three minutes.

“Our offense was bad at a time we really needed it,” Reeve reflected after the game, pointing out how the team missed crucial chances to take the lead over the Liberty in the final minutes. Her frustration was palpable as she expressed disappointment at seeing the team squander another significant lead, stating “More than disappointed, I’m pissed at how the team allowed the Liberty to go up 17 again.”

The Lynx have a chance to turn things around with their next game just a couple of days away on Wednesday. Playing at home means they’ll have the support of a cheering crowd behind them, which could give them the boost they need.

However, as Reeve pointed out, “We’ve got to come up with better opportunities.” To succeed, the Lynx must capitalize on the chances they get, and their bench players need to step up and make meaningful contributions. If they can do that, they’ll be well on their way to claiming their historic fifth championship!