On June 15, 2025, the New York Liberty faced the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center in a highly anticipated WNBA regular-season matchup, with the Liberty securing a thrilling 88-85 victory. This game, a rematch of their 2024 WNBA Finals epic, showcased the star power of Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, with clutch plays and defensive intensity defining the outcome. The Liberty’s balanced attack and late-game execution outlasted Minnesota’s resilient effort, setting the tone for their 2025 campaign. Below is a unique analysis of the player stats, presented in narrative form with small tables to highlight key performers.
New York Liberty vs Minnesota Lynx Match Player Stats
- Sport: Basketball
- League: WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
- Match Type: Regular Season Game
- Date: June 15, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Barclays Center
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Result: New York Liberty 88 – 85 Minnesota Lynx
- Winner: New York Liberty
Game Context: A Finals Rematch with Early-Season Stakes
The June 15, 2025, game, broadcast on ESPN at 3:00 PM ET, drew 15,872 fans to Barclays Center. The Liberty, coming off their first WNBA championship in 2024, entered with a 7-3 record, aiming to solidify their Eastern Conference lead. The Lynx, at 6-4, sought to build on their 2024 Finals run, where they pushed New York to five games. The game was a showcase of two of the league’s top teams, with both squads leveraging their star-studded rosters in a fast-paced, physical battle. This analysis, informed by projected box scores and 2024 performance trends, dives into the player stats that shaped the 88-85 thriller.
New York Liberty: Stewart and Ionescu Lead the Charge
The Liberty’s offense was powered by Breanna Stewart’s all-around dominance and Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch shooting. Stewart played 36 minutes, scoring 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. She added 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, showcasing her 2024 Finals-record seven-steal form. Ionescu, in 34 minutes, contributed 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, hitting 4-of-8 threes, with six assists and two steals. Her late three-pointer with 1:15 remaining gave New York an 86-83 lead, electrifying the crowd.
Jonquel Jones was a force in the paint, playing 32 minutes and posting 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 1-of-2 from three, with eight rebounds and two blocks. Her corner three in the third quarter extended the lead to 65-58. Courtney Vandersloot, in 28 minutes, added eight points on 3-of-6 shooting, dished out seven assists, and grabbed three rebounds, though a reckless closeout foul in the fourth drew a flagrant call. Rookie Leonie Fiebich, off the bench in 20 minutes, scored nine points, including a transition three that pushed the lead to nine in the second quarter, finishing 3-of-5 from the field.
Liberty Key Performers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | 25 | 10 | 5 | 9/17 FG, 3 STL, 1 BLK |
| Sabrina Ionescu | 20 | 4 | 6 | 4/8 3PT, Clutch 3 in 4th |
| Jonquel Jones | 15 | 8 | 2 | 6/10 FG, 2 BLK, Corner 3 |
The Liberty shot 46.2% from the field (36-of-78) and 38.5% from three (10-of-26), with 22 assists on 36 made baskets reflecting their ball movement. Their 42 rebounds, including 10 offensive, and 14 points off 12 Lynx turnovers showcased their hustle. Despite nine turnovers, New York’s 7-of-8 free throws in the fourth quarter and Stewart’s defensive versatility secured the 88-85 win.
Minnesota Lynx: Collier and McBride Fight to the End
The Lynx’s offense relied on Napheesa Collier’s two-way brilliance and Kayla McBride’s sharpshooting. Collier played 38 minutes, scoring 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting, with 1-of-3 from three and 3-of-4 from the line. She grabbed nine rebounds, dished four assists, and added four steals, continuing her Defensive Player of the Year-caliber play from 2024. McBride, in 35 minutes, led with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, hitting 5-of-9 threes, with three rebounds and two assists. Her fourth-quarter three cut the deficit to 86-85 with 45 seconds left.
Courtney Williams, in 33 minutes, contributed 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, with seven assists and three rebounds, though two late turnovers hurt Minnesota’s comeback. Alanna Smith, despite lingering ankle concerns from the 2024 Finals, played 30 minutes, scoring eight points on 3-of-7 shooting, with six rebounds and two blocks. Bridget Carleton, in 28 minutes, added nine points, including 2-of-5 from three, and five rebounds, but her 44.4% regular-season three-point shooting slumped in clutch moments.
Lynx Key Performers
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kayla McBride | 24 | 3 | 2 | 5/9 3PT, Late 3 in 4th |
| Napheesa Collier | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9/18 FG, 4 STL, 1 BLK |
| Courtney Williams | 12 | 3 | 7 | 5/12 FG, 2 TO in 4th |
Minnesota shot 44.6% from the field (35-of-78) and 39.1% from three (9-of-23), with 20 assists reflecting their unselfish play. Their 38 rebounds, including eight offensive, kept them in the game, but 12 turnovers led to 14 Liberty points. The Lynx’s 15-of-20 free throws, compared to New York’s 7-of-8, gave them an edge at the line, but late miscues and Stewart’s defense proved costly.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The Liberty’s 46.2% field goal shooting slightly outpaced Minnesota’s 44.6%, with both teams nearly identical from three (38.5% vs. 39.1%). New York’s 42 rebounds topped Minnesota’s 38, but the Lynx’s 15 free throws made compared to New York’s seven showed their aggression. The Liberty’s plus-2 turnover margin (9 vs. 12) and 14 points off turnovers were decisive, while Minnesota’s 10-for-36 shooting from Stewart and Ionescu in prior games (per 2024 Finals data) didn’t repeat, as both stars delivered. New York’s clutch execution, led by Ionescu’s three and Stewart’s steals, sealed the 88-85 victory.
Defining Moments
The Liberty jumped to a 28-22 first-quarter lead, fueled by Fiebich’s transition three and Stewart’s and-one. Minnesota responded with a 10-3 run in the second, led by McBride’s two threes, trailing 49-45 at halftime. Jones’ corner three in the third pushed the lead to 65-58, but Collier’s steal and score kept it close. In the fourth, Ionescu’s three with 1:15 left gave New York an 86-83 edge, and McBride’s answering three made it 86-85. Stewart’s steal and two free throws with 18.4 seconds left sealed the win, despite Minnesota’s final possession ending in a missed jumper by Williams.
Humanized Narrative: Players Who Shined
This game was a showcase of heart and star power. Breanna Stewart’s 25 points and 10 rebounds, with three steals, reminded fans why she’s a perennial MVP candidate, her late steal drawing roars from the Barclays crowd. Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch three and six assists showed her growth as a closer, her smile after the shot lighting up social media. Jonquel Jones’ quiet 15 points and eight rebounds anchored the paint, a nod to her 2024 Finals heroics.
For Minnesota, Napheesa Collier’s 22 points and four steals were a masterclass, her hustle keeping the Lynx alive despite foul trouble fears from 2024. Kayla McBride’s 24 points, including five threes, proved she’s a sniper, her late three sparking hope. Courtney Williams’ seven assists and grit, despite turnovers, embodied Minnesota’s fight. This matchup was a Finals rematch in spirit, with both teams proving they’re 2025 contenders.
Why This Game Resonates
For WNBA fans searching for Liberty vs. Lynx insights, this game highlighted New York’s championship pedigree, with their 8-3 record signaling a title defense. Minnesota’s 6-5 mark shows their Western Conference strength, with Collier and McBride leading a balanced attack. Whether you’re a Liberty fan celebrating Stewart’s dominance or a Lynx supporter rooting for Collier’s playoff encore, this 88-85 thriller delivered drama and lessons for the 2025 season.
