Biggest Comebacks in WNBA Finals History

Karl Rasmussen | Oct 17, 2024

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart looks to drive past Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier during Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The 2024 WNBA Finals featured a record-breaking Game 1, during which the Minnesota Lynx staged a stellar comeback against the New York Liberty in order to steal a win in the series opener. It was tied for the largest comeback ever in a WNBA Finals game as the Lynx grabbed a 1–0 series lead on the road.

The Lynx's comeback tied the all-time record which was set back in 1999 by the Liberty during a Finals bout against the Houston Comets. With that in mind, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the biggest comeback wins in WNBA Finals history.

MATCHUP	LARGEST DEFICIT, FINAL SCORE	DATE
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty	18 points, 95–93	Oct. 10, 2024
New York Liberty vs. Houston Comets	18 points, 68–67	Sept. 4, 1999
New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx	15 points, 80–77	Oct. 16, 2024
Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky	14 points, 80–74	Oct. 17, 2021
Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty	12 points, 70–69	Oct. 18, 2023
Phoenix Mercury vs. Houston Comets	12 points, 74–69	Aug. 29, 1998
Minnesota Lynx vs. Atlanta Dream	12 points, 88–74	Oct. 2, 2011
Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx	12 points, 83–71	Oct. 17, 2012

No team has ever overcome a 20-point deficit in a WNBA Finals game, though both the '99 Liberty and 2024 Lynx have come close. Only two of the seven largest comebacks in WNBA Finals history didn't involve one of New York or Minnesota.

Given the even nature of this year's WNBA Finals matchup, it's entirely possible we see another big comeback between the Lynx and Liberty.

Minnesota is seeking its fifth WNBA title, having won four since 2011, in '11, '13, '15 and '17. As for the Liberty, they're looking to capture their first championship and hang a banner at the Barclays Center.

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