NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve knew on the second day of training camp this year that her Lynx team could be really special.
The team hasn't disappointed the longtime coach so far, winning the Commissioner's Cup in June and now reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017 — the last of the team's four championships.
“We had a way about us that we played for each other,” she said. “Didn’t know what it would translate into.”
Now the team is three wins away from securing a WNBA record fifth title. The Lynx are tied with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm for most titles in league history.
Standing in the way is a New York Liberty team hungry for its first championship. Game 1 is Thursday night.
New York has now been to the Finals six times in team history since being one of the original franchises when the WNBA began in 1997. Each time the Liberty fell short, including last year when New York lost to Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at some other things to know about the WNBA Finals:
Home court advantage
New York has had the second best home attendance this season, averaging more than 12,700 fans. Games are loud and entertaining, giving the Liberty an edge when they play at Barclays Center. It's also become a spot for celebrities with Spike Lee, Jason Sudeikis, Alicia Keys and many others making appearances.
Star power
Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier have been the top players on the Liberty and Lynx respectively this season. Stewart won two titles when she played in Seattle and has two league MVPs to her credit. Collier won the league's Defensive Player of the Year this year as well as finishing second in the MVP balloting. The pair also are business partners in a new offseason 3-on-3 basketball league called Unrivaled that will play this winter in Miami.
Coaching matchup
The Finals will match two experienced coaches with championship pedigrees. Cheryl Reeve has four WNBA titles since she took over Minnesota, winning in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. She seems to have pushed all the right buttons with this Lynx team to get them to the Finals for the first time since that last championship. She also guided the U.S. to an eighth straight Olympic gold medal earlier this summer. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello won a title in Phoenix in 2014 and guided the Mercury to the championship round in 2021 and the Liberty last year.
Betting favorites
The Liberty are the betting favorite to win the series at -275 with the Lynx at +220.
How to watch
The WNBA Finals will be on ESPN and ABC. Check listings for individual games.
Finals schedule
Game 1: Thursday, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday,, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.
Game 4 (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m.
Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Doug Feinberg, The Associated Press
