DiJonai Carrington sparks key run as Lynx defeat Liberty in WNBA Finals rematch

DiJonai Carrington doesn’t just bring defensive energy. She changes games.

The first half of Sunday’s WNBA Finals rematch between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty was a tug-of-war — a gritty battle that never stretched beyond a two-possession margin. But in the third quarter, Carrington flipped the script.

Minnesota’s 83-71 victory over the defending champions at Barclays Center in Brooklyn was fueled by a 24-7 third-quarter run over six minutes, ignited by the newly acquired guard. A week after joining the Lynx by way of the Dallas Wings, Carrington finished with 15 points off the bench — eight in the third quarter alone — alongside six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Thanks to their third-quarter display, the Lynx entered the fourth up 66-57.

“We were just getting tips and getting out. ... That’s how we want to play,” Lynx guard Kayla McBride, who finished with a game-high 18 points, said in a postgame teleconference. “That’s fun, you know? That’s the best part about it because you’re not thinking, you’re not scheming, you’re just hooping.”

BOXSCORE: Lynx 83, New York 71

WNBA standings

Natisha Hiedeman added 13 points off the bench, including a smooth step-back three and a driving layup late in the third quarter.

Alanna Smith followed up her monster 25-point game Friday night with another all-around performance. She stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks.

With WNBA MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier sidelined for a third consecutive game because of a sprained ankle, Smith’s impact was vital. Her defense and floor spacing — including a late three-pointer that gave the Lynx a game-high 16-point lead — paid dividends.

“This is what she does,” said Carrington, who played alongside Smith at Stanford. “She doesn’t get the notoriety for it, but this is truly how she plays. ... She was on triple-double watch. So that’s really rare from your five player.”

McBride carried the weight on offense, sinking four three-pointers. Two of those triples came in the second half, which Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve credited — in part — to Carrington relieving her of some of her defensive duties. McBride agreed, calling Carrington “a luxury.”

The Liberty, meanwhile, were playing without two-time league MVP Breanna Stewart (right knee bone bruise), and it showed. New York turned the ball over 18 times, leading to 22 Lynx points on the other end.

Still, the Liberty had their moments — particularly in the third quarter, when Emma Meesseman buried a three to put New York up 47–40. The Belgian forward, who chose the Liberty over the Lynx in free agency this summer, scored seven points in the third and appeared to be leading a late-game surge.

Minnesota countered quickly.

Courtney Williams — the only Lynx player in double figures at that point — stayed steady as Carrington, Hiedeman and McBride took turns chipping away. McBride’s crossover and and-one drive pulled Minnesota within two, and she assisted minutes later to Carrington — who else? — to give the Lynx the lead late in the third (and for good).

After the victory, McBride reflected on the Lynx’s schedule — three games in 10 days, starting with Sunday’s victory, all against the Liberty — calling it “weird” but also an exciting challenge.