WNBA Finals, Game 1: How to watch New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx

The New York Liberty are back in the WNBA Finals.

The Liberty advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive year after taking down the back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces in four games in the semifinal series. They will face the Minnesota Lynx, who are returning to the finals for the first time since 2017 after dispatching the Connecticut Sun in five games.

The Liberty has appeared in the WNBA Finals five other times, but are still in search of their first title. The Lynx, on the other hand, are looking to get back to their dynasty days. Minnesota won four titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and made six Finals appearances from 2011 to 2017.

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 1 of the WNBA Finals:

When is Game 1 of the WNBA Finals?

Game 1 of the WNBA championship series between the Liberty and Lynx gets underway Thursday at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

How to watch Game 1 of the WNBA Finals

Game 1 will be broadcast on ESPN with Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) on the call. The matchup can also be streamed on ESPN+ or the ESPN App, in addition to Fubo.

Liberty vs. Lynx head-to-head

The Lynx have an edge when it comes to their head-to-head record. Minnesota won two of the three regular season matchups against the Liberty. The teams last faced off Sept. 15, when the Lynx came away with an 88-79 victory on the road at Barclays Center.

New York Liberty’s path to the WNBA Finals

First round (best-of-three): No. 1 Liberty vs. No. 8 Dream

• Game 1: Liberty 83, Dream 68

• Game 2: Liberty 91, Dream 82

Liberty advance 2-0

Semifinals (best-of-five): No. 1 Liberty vs. No. 4 Aces

• Game 1: Liberty 87, Aces 77

• Game 2: Liberty 88, Aces 84

• Game 3: Aces 95, Liberty 81

• Game 4: Liberty 76, Aces 62

Liberty advance 3-1

Minnesota Lynx’s path to the WNBA Finals

First round (best-of-three): No. 2 Lynx vs. No. 7 Phoenix Mercury

• Game 1: Lynx 102, Mercury 95

• Game 2: Lynx 101, Mercury 88

Lynx advance 2-0

Semifinals (best-of-five): No. 2 Lynx vs. No. 3 Connecticut Sun

• Game 1: Sun 73, Lynx 70

• Game 2: Lynx 77, Sun 70

• Game 3: Lynx 90, Sun 81

• Game 4: Sun 92, Lynx 82

• Game 5: Lynx 88, Sun 77

Lynx advance 3-2

How many titles does the New York Liberty have?

The Liberty are in pursuit of their first championship. New York got close last year — the Liberty made it all the way to the 2023 WNBA Finals before losing to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. The Liberty have made WNBA Finals appearances five other times (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2023) and have come up empty-handed each time.

How many titles does the Minnesota Lynx have?

The Lynx have four titles. In a span of seven years, the Lynx won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and made six Finals appearances, led by the group of Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles. The 2024 WNBA Finals will mark the Lynx’s first championship appearance since their 2017 title.

WNBA Finals, Game 1 odds

The Liberty is the favorite to win the WNBA championship, according to BetMGM, with the money line set at the Liberty (-300) and the Lynx (+240).

2024 WNBA Finals schedule

• Game 1, Thursday, Oct. 10: Lynx at Liberty; 8 p.m. (ESPN)

• Game 2, Sunday, Oct. 13: Lynx at Liberty; 3 (ABC)

• Game 3, Wednesday, Oct. 16: Liberty at Lynx; 8 (ESPN)

• Game 4*, Friday, Oct. 18: Liberty at Lynx; 8 (ESPN)

• Game 5*, Sunday, Oct. 20: Lynx at Liberty; 8 (ESPN)

(All times Eastern; best-of-five series; * – if necessary)

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Finals Game 1: Liberty vs. Lynx matchup, date, time, channel