Will third time be a charm for the New York Liberty? As two of the league’s most dominant forces collide, they step onto the court with very different mindsets. For the Liberty, this matchup carries extra weight. Not only have lost twice to the team they denied championship to last season, but also enter fresh off a stinging loss to the Aces, a game that turned into a shooting nightmare, going 28-of-64 inside the paint and just 28 percent from deep.
This is far from the position they envisioned after opening the season with a flawless 9-0 run. The Lynx, on the other hand, could not have scripted their season better. Riding a five-game winning streak and already locking in a postseason berth, they arrive brimming with confidence and momentum. Before the opening whistle, let’s break down the injury report for both sides and check out the projected starting lineups.
New York Liberty vs Minnesota Lynx: Where to watch
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM PST/ 2:00 PM EST
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Where to watch: Cable viewers can tune in on CBS, while streaming fans can choose from WNBA League Pass, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
New York Liberty vs Minnesota Lynx: Injury Report
New York’s injury list is noticeably longer than Minnesota’s, but the Lynx will be without their star forward, Napheesa Collier. The Liberty has also suffered major blows in the forward position, leaving both teams shorthanded in the frontcourt. Here’s the full injury report for each side, along with the projected return dates for the sidelined players.
New York Liberty
Breanna Stewart: Out (Knee injury)
Isabelle Harrison: Out (Concussion)
Nyara Sabally: Out (Knee injury)
Breanna Stewart suffered a bone bruise in her right knee less than four minutes into the game against the Los Angeles Sparks, going down while running in transition. She is expected to return by August 28. Isabelle Harrison, another Liberty forward, will miss at least the first two games while Liberty is on the road. She had already been sidelined for matchups against the Sparks and the Las Vegas Aces, and her return date remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Nyara Sabally has been out since experiencing discomfort in her right knee during warm-ups before the game against Indiana. She is targeting a return on August 19.
Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier: Out (Ankle injury)
Napheesa Collier sprained her right ankle during the August 2 game against the Las Vegas Aces. Following an MRI, she was evaluated by team physician Dr. Elena Jelsing at Mayo Clinic Square. She is expected to miss at least two weeks, with a probable return set for August 19. However, her team has been humming like a well-oiled machine despite her absence.
Predicted Starting Lineup
New York Liberty
Sabrina Ionescu
Natasha Cloud
Leonie Fiebich
Jonquel Jones
Emma Meesseman
Minnesota Lynx
Kayla McBride
Courtney Williams
Alanna Smith
Bridget Carleton
Jessica Shepard
New York Liberty Vs Minnesota Lynx predictions: Which team will clinch victory?
Right now, any team facing the Minnesota Lynx is in for an uphill battle. They have won nine of their last ten games, with the lone loss coming by a razor-thin margin of just four points. Adding to their advantage, this clash takes place at Target Center, where the Lynx have been nearly untouchable this season with a 16-1 home record. Offensively, they are the league’s best, averaging 87 points per game, powered by the scoring trio of Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Alanna Smith.
Yet it is their defense that truly separates them from the rest. Smith and the now-injured Napheesa Collier have been key in shutting down opposing offenses, and the recent addition of defensive anchor Dijonai Carrington only strengthens their core. With a league-leading point differential of +11.4, the Lynx look poised to extend their dominance.
Jul 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) grabs a rebound in front of New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Still, counting out the New York Liberty would be a mistake. Despite their inconsistency this season, they have the tools to win on the big stage. Sabrina Ionescu leads the charge with 19.3 points per game, supported by the steady playmaking of Natasha Cloud. But perhaps the most impactful piece has been Belgian center Emma Meesseman. In just six games since joining, she has made an immediate impact, averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Her standout performances, including 24-point games against both the Sparks and Aces, have solidified her as a starter.
When talent of this caliber meets, sparks are bound to fly. But in the end, only one team can walk away victorious. Given their current form and home-court advantage, the Lynx enter as favorites, with ESPN analytics giving them a 61.2 percent chance to win. Still, the Liberty has the firepower to pull off an upset and shake up the standings.
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