The WNBA Finals are officially here.
It all boils down to the two best teams in the league, the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, who will compete for a chance at postseason glory during a best-of-five series.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Napheesa Collier, is kicking in the door for Minnesota to win its fifth title under each coach, Cheryl Reeve. Two WNBA Champion and 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart leads a Liberty team under the guidance of coach Sandy Brondello, who seeks its first franchise championship.
There are so many things to think about, including which fans will inevitably be upset about our expert WNBA Finals predictions. But we’re going to give them to the people anyway.
WNBA Finals Winner
Cory Woodroof: Lynx in 5
Mike Sykes: Lynx in 5
Meghan Hall: Lynx in 5
Prince Grimes: Liberty in 4
Why do they win the WNBA Finals?
Cory Woodroof: Minnesota just seems so complete, and their regular season success against New York looms large.
Mike Sykes: The Liberty’s star power and bench depth will be a lot to overcome, but I think the Lynx’s starting lineup is the best in the W from top to bottom. Napheesa Collier is also playing like she’s the best player in the world in these playoffs. This pick is mostly me believing in her ability to continue to assert herself the way she has throughout this postseason, even against the Liberty’s size.
Meghan Hall: Picking the Minnesota Lynx in four games feels disrespectful to the New York Liberty. So, it’s Lynx in five. Minnesota is a complete team from top to bottom and has one of the better benches in the league that can go toe-to-toe with the Liberty. In the end, I think Minnesota’s top-ranked defense will bring home another Lynx championship. I also have a hard time believing Napheesa Collier won’t do everything she can to make it happen. Phee has been on a historic tear, and winning a championship would be the cherry on top.
Prince Grimes: The Liberty are playing with a chip that’s going to make them really hard to beat, especially at their home arena where a potential Game 5 would be played. But they’ll finish it before that.
WNBA Finals MVP
Cory Woodroof: Napheesa Collier
Mike Sykes: Napheesa Collier
Meghan Hall: Napheesa Collier
Prince Grimes: Breanna Stewart
Why do they win the WNBA Finals MVP trophy?
Cory Woodroof: She can do it all on offense and defense, and she’ll be the best player on the court this series.
Mike Sykes: She’s been the best player in these playoffs, and it hasn’t been close. If the Lynx are going to win, I think they’ll need her to continue that.
Meghan Hall: What’s better than one individual award? TWO. Phee’s averaging 27.1 points a game during the WNBA playoffs and is a menance on the other side of the ball. Her efforts will be enough to add a Finals MVP trophy to her hardware collection. MVPhee.
Prince Grimes: Minnesota slowed everyone on the Liberty besides Stewie in their four regular-season matchups. She’s the player they won’t be able to stop.
