No. 1 NY Liberty take 2-0 semis lead, while No. 2 Minnesota Lynx defeat No. 3 Connecticut Sun to even series

The GIST: While the 2025 debutante Golden State Valkyries fantasize about the December 6th expansion draft, the four remaining semis squads are locked in on the here and now with last night’s thrilling Game 2s done and dusted.

No. 1 NY Liberty take commanding 2-0 lead over No. 4 Las Vegas Aces: It took a true team effort to secure the Libs’ feisty 88–84 victory over the Aces, with four players scoring in double-digits, including 24 points from Sabrina Ionescu and 12 off the bench from veteran Courtney Vandersloot.

• Though Jackie Young (17 points) stepped up for Sin City, Vegas struggled against NY’s defense, especially with 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones guarding 2024 MVP A’ja Wilson.

• Not to mention, Vegas could be without their own defensive specialist, Kiah Stokes, in Friday’s Game 3 after she suffered a potential concussion last night.

• The Aces have their backs against the wall, but if the two-time defending champs know anything, it’s how to step up when the going gets tough, especially on home court.

No. 2 Minnesota Lynx surge back, even series against No. 3 Connecticut Sun: The Lynx doubled down on defense and satisfied a raucous home crowd last night, extinguishing the Sun 77–70. Napheesa Collier was one point shy of a double-double, but it was Minnesota’s supporting cast who stole the show, highlighted by Courtney Williams’ team-high 17 points. Teamwork, dream work, indeed.

• As for Connecticut, they fought back in the fourth quarter but couldn’t find their shooting rhythm despite strong outings from DeWanna Bonner (who’s now third all-time in playoff points) and Alyssa “does it all” Thomas.

• The tightly-contested best-of-five battle will now shift to Connecticut — and if last night is any indication, this spicy series seems destined to go the distance.