NY, MN Unbeaten as Commissioner’s Cup Kicks Off

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    NEW YORK — The New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx are continuing their impressive performance from last season, carrying their momentum into the current WNBA season. Both teams have yet to face defeat, with the Lynx achieving an 8-0 record following their recent win over Phoenix in the Commissioner’s Cup.

    Reflecting on their historical matchups, the Lynx previously bested the Liberty in the final of the in-season tournament last year. However, the Liberty retaliated successfully by securing their first WNBA championship.

    Remarkably, with Minnesota at 8-0 and New York at 7-0, this marks a significant milestone, as it has been since 2016 that more than one team has remained undefeated this deep into the season. During that time, both the Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks started with 11 consecutive victories.

    Unyielding dominance characterizes New York’s play this season, with an impressive offense averaging 91.9 points per game. Their victories come with a hefty margin, averaging nearly 23 points, including a staggering 48-point triumph over Connecticut, the second-largest winning margin in WNBA history.

    In contrast, Minnesota has excelled in tightly contested games. Before claiming a more comfortable 11-point victory over Golden State on Sunday, their previous four wins were achieved by a narrow combined margin of just 18 points.

    Fans eagerly anticipate the head-to-head matchups between the Lynx and Liberty, set to occur in a few months. Their anticipated clashes are slated to unfold within a few weeks, starting on July 30.

    In the latest power poll rankings, New York maintains its position at the top, while Minnesota trails closely in second place. Phoenix holds the third spot, with Atlanta’s Dream moving up to fourth. The next few positions see Las Vegas, Seattle, and Indiana forming the lineup, as Washington, Golden State, and Chicago follow. Meanwhile, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Connecticut complete the rankings.

    The WNBA’s annual in-season tournament, the Commissioner’s Cup, is also underway. During this time, each team competes against every other team within their conference. This year’s schedule includes six games for the Western Conference, thanks to the inclusion of the new Golden State team, while the East teams will play five. The top team from each conference will compete in the final, vying for a $500,000 cash prize and a bonus of $5,000 in Bitcoin for each player.

    Atlanta’s Allisha Gray has been awarded Player of the Week, marking her second career win of the honor. Gray, who previously received this accolade in June 2023, delivered impressive performances, averaging 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4 assists, leading Atlanta to road victories against Los Angeles and Seattle. A’ja Wilson from Las Vegas, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, and Sabrina Ionescu from New York were also in contention for the title.

    An exciting showdown to watch is the upcoming Indiana versus Chicago game on Saturday. Although Caitlin Clark might remain out due to a quad strain, spectators can expect a thrilling rematch between the Fever and the Sky. This game holds special significance as it will be broadcasted in primetime on CBS, a first in WNBA history.