WNBA Finals winners, losers: Series living up to hype, needs consistent officiating

Two games in, the WNBA Finals are more than living up to the hype.

First Minnesota shocked everyone ‒ the Liberty most of all ‒ with an overtime win after trailing by 18 in Game 1.

Then Breanna Stewart turned in maybe the best defensive performance of her career ‒ or at least, of her playoff career ‒ when she recorded seven steals in a much-needed Game 2 win for New York.

Now tied 1-1, the series heads to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. These teams met only once in the regular season at the Target Center, and the Lynx won that one. If the Liberty can steal one on the road like Minnesota did, Game 5 will be back at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

WINNERS

The league

There are so many new fans tuning in for the first time this season and the Finals more than delivered, particularly with Game 1. That Lynx comeback was so thrilling – and downright tough to understand if you only studied the stat sheet – Napheesa Collier went back and re-watched the game late Thursday night, something she said she never does. But it was so crazy, she needed to understand exactly what happened.

There’s no question the fans felt the same – and it’s especially good for the league that the Finals have been so good because they’re showcasing that this league has plenty of playmakers, and fans have lots of talent to cheer for.

The Liberty set an attendance record Sunday with 18,046 fans, prompting New York coach Sandy Brondello to say “the winner is women’s basketball.”

The Lynx

Yeah, this series is tied 1-1, but it is really, really hard to go on the road and win a game in the playoffs. Going back to home to Minnesota having spoiled the Liberty’s home court advantage is huge. Minnesota beat New York its only game in Minneapolis this season (an 84-67 Lynx win on May 25), which means it’s completely feasible that the Lynx win the title at home.

All-WNBA Defense

First Collier showed everyone exactly why she won Defensive Player of the Year honors in Game 1, blocking six shots (tying a career high) and grabbing three steals. She altered numerous other looks in the Lynx’s surprise 95-93 overtime win, an impact Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve called “incredible.”

Game 2 was the Stewie Steal Show, as Stewart, another first team All-Defense selection, nabbed a career-high seven steals, leading the Liberty to an 80-66 win. New York’s roster is known for its long wingspans, which cause all sorts of defensive havoc. The Liberty totaled 13 steals in Game 2 – two of which came from Jonquel Jones, another All-Defense selection.

Lynx forward Alanna Smith, also an All-Defense player, who recorded a steal in each game, has done a terrific job defending Jones so far this series, making everything tough for her even though she has two inches and 32 pounds on Smith.

She’s not playing at 100% after midseason knee surgery and continued treatment to get her game-ready. But she certainly looked healthy – and lethal – Sunday in Game 2, when she started 4-of-4 from the field and finished with 20 points, tying a season-high.

LOSERS

Officiating

Who could have guessed that just a couple hours after commissioner Cathy Engelbert was pressed about how the league is working to improve officiating, the stripes would fumble the end of Game 1 so badly.

Or rather, they fumbled the end of regulation. When the ball got knocked out of bounds during Liberty possession with minutes to play and none of the officials knew who had touched it last, it was downright embarrassing. Putting New York at the free throw line with .8 seconds left – when they’d declined to give a whistle to Minnesota the possession before despite Collier getting hammered inside. Fortunately Stewart missed the second free throw, which forced overtime and let the players decide the game.

Officiating was rough during Game 2, too. After barely calling fouls the first half, the second half turned into a foul (and free throw) fest.

All we’re asking for is consistency – and for the officials to be a non-factor. Seems pretty straight forward.

Minnesota’s first halves

Two days after coming back from an 18-point deficit and pulling out a miraculous 95-93 overtime win in Game 1, the Lynx again fell behind double digits in Game 2, as the Liberty built as much as a 17-point lead in the first half.

Asked how frustrated she was that her team couldn’t score in the final few minutes, even after cutting it to two twice, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words.

“I’m disappointed that we let it get to 17, I’m more disappointed in that,” she said. “I’m more than disappointed. I’m pissed that that happened again.”

Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Finals winners, losers: Lynx vs. Liberty living up to hype