After a seven-year wait, the Minnesota Lynx have returned to the WNBA Finals, rekindling memories of their past glory and four championship titles. Despite the hiccups in recent years, let’s not forget that the team has consistently proven to be one of the best teams in the league. 

With a record of 13 playoff appearances and four championships since their inception, the Lynx have been quite dominant. As they gear up for a showdown against the formidable New York Liberty, the possibility of the 5th and the most WNBA titles rings sweeter. But before that, let’s have a look at the past. 

From dominance to drought and back in playoffs

The Minnesota Lynx have a legacy that dates back to their inaugural season in 1999. They struggled a bit in those early years but found their footing in the league pretty quickly. It was in 2011 that they truly made their mark, clinching their first WNBA Championship. The team, led by the likes of Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, and Maya Moore, defeated the Atlanta Dream 3-0 in the Finals. 

From 2011 to 2021, the Lynx made the playoffs every season, winning three more championships in between. They dominated the league with an unparalleled core group of players. In 2013, they took home their second title after taking down Atlanta again. The roster during this golden period featured Augustus, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, and Sylvia Fowles. Moore’s game-winning three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2013 Finals still remains a highlight.

In 2015 and 2017, they further cemented their status by adding two more championships to their collection. The 2017 Finals against the Los Angeles Sparks went to five games, with the Lynx eventually winning Game 5 85-76. However, after their 2017 championship win, the Lynx faced injuries, retirements, and a changing roster. 

Key players like Whalen and Brunson stepped away from the game. The 4x Champions struggled to find their rhythm. However, the Lynx have bounced back and are showing signs of the powerhouse they once were. They finished the regular season with a record of 30-10. Their standout moments have to be the overtime wins against top contenders like the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury. But will they manage to seal the deal?

Minnesota Lynx’s historic WNBA finals

As already discussed, the Lynx have won the championship four times: 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Each of these victories was a culmination of hard work, talent, and a little bit of luck. The first one was the 2011 finals against the Atlanta Dream. Needless to say, they dominated the season, finishing with a 27-7 record. Augustus was the series MVP, averaging 20.3 points.

In 2013, she was a standout once again, averaging 23.6 points in the series. In Game 3, Moore hit a buzzer-beater to win the game and the series against Atlanta with a 3-0. Also, they finished the playoffs with a scoring average of 82.5 points. The 2015 championship then saw the Lynx go up against the Indiana Fever, where they displayed incredible teamwork. 

In a back-and-forth series, the Lynx’s defense stood tall, allowing just 76.5 points per game. And let’s not forget their final championship run in 2017, where they defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, securing their fourth title in six years. This was perhaps the most thrilling series, going to a deciding Game 5. In this game, Fowles recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Moore’s scoring continued to shine. 

All these years, their strengths under the guidance of coach Cheryl Reeve were evident: strong leadership, versatility on the court, and the ability to perform under pressure. Also, the chemistry between the players always allowed them to anticipate each other’s moves and play as a cohesive unit.

Fast forward to this year, and the Lynx are back in the finals with a roster that’s got youth, experience, and chemistry. “We genuinely just like each other so much, it just makes it all the sweeter. It makes me wanna win for them too,” said Napheesa Collier, a key contributor to this year’s success, averaging 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. The team’s strength this year was in their defense as well. 

But the NY Liberty are no slouches. The team, led by Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, has shown great potential this season, finishing with a league-best record of 28-6. Earlier in the season, the Liberty defeated the Lynx by 89-75. But the latter have been there before. And their ability to stay composed under pressure could be a game-changer. With their eyes set on another championship, this franchise is about solidifying their legacy in the WNBA again. Let’s see how things work out for them!