Liberty choke away big Game 1 lead in brutal overtime loss to Lynx

Napheesa Collier’s turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left lifted the Minnesota Lynx to a 95-93 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night at Barclays Center.With the game tied in OT, Collier faked in the lane and scored.New York had a chance to tie it but Breanna Stewart’s layup at the buzzer was off.Courtney Williams had 23 points, Kayla McBride 22 and Collier 21 for Minnesota.Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday in New York.

Before the game WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league is expanding the Finals to best-of-seven starting next year.The OT got off to a slow start before Minnesota built an 88-84 advantage as New York missed its first six shots.Jonquel Jones finally got the Liberty on the board with a corner 3-pointer with 1:38 left.

Courtney Williams answered with her own 3-pointer and the teams traded baskets over the next minute.Sabrina Ionescu’s steal in the backcourt and layup got New York within 93-91 with 32.9 left.Jones then stole the ball at midcourt and scored to tie it four seconds later.

Minnesota worked the clock down before Collier’s basket broke the tie....