A’ja Wilson was the MVP. Caitlin Clark was the rookie sensation. Napheesa Collier is the defensive player of the year. The Liberty are the super team. But the WNBA playoffs belong to Courtney Williams.
Two days and about 1,020 miles ago, Williams led his team to a semifinal victory over the Connecticut Sunfinishing game five with 24 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. It was a heroic effort from the Minnesota guard, but ultimately, nothing compared to what she did Thursday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
Since high school, Williams has excelled in the midrange. It’s as much her identity as her platinum blonde haircut. She has been nicknamed the “Mid-Range Mistress” and the “Mid-Range Monster”. By the way, she goes by both nicknames.
“People can call me anything as long as they show me love,” Williams said.
She shoots more long 2-pointers than anyone in the WNBA. But just because it’s his signature photo doesn’t mean it’s his only photo.
Thursday, it was his 3-point shot that ensured a 95-93 overtime victory against the heavily favored New York Libertywho squandered a record 18-point lead in the final.
The Lynx were in the midst of a massive comeback after cutting their deficit to 68-61 early in the fourth quarter. But the Liberty still held a three-point lead at the end of the match. With just one play, Williams put his team ahead with 5.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
She got up the wing and made a 3-pointer over Sabrina Ionescu, who was also called for a foul. Williams then stepped to the line and calmly finished the four-point play.
Then, after a Breanna Stewart free throw sent the teams into overtime, Williams again knocked down a clutch 3-pointer. This one came with 1:16 left in overtime to give the Lynx a 91-87 lead.
Both shots were assisted by Alanna Smith, who was part of a Lynx lineup that made getting the ball to Williams a priority.
“It speaks to the trust we have in each other,” Williams said. “We have so many great 3-point shooters and the fact that these girls are here trying to get me the ball. I could cry. It’s incredible.
Williams finished Game 1 with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting (2-of-6 from 3), 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Tears of joy have been a constant for Williams since she signed with the Lynx in the offseason. She’s been in the league since 2016 and plays for five different organizations, but none like the Lynx.
With Minnesota, Williams found a home. And with this new comfort comes new energy.
“I love this place,” she said. “I say that all the time, and I don’t just say it for fun. These people I meet, we believe in each other so much. It’s crazy, man. I’m just happy to be here.
Williams has made the Finals before, with Connecticut in 2019 and 2022. She found herself on the losing side in both cases, but her playoff experience helps the Lynx.
Although she wasn’t one of her team’s top 3-point shooting threats, Williams had the wherewithal to step up when her team needed her. It was chaos at the end of the game, with missed calls, physical play and turnovers on both ends.
Williams served as both an opposing instigator and calming force for the Lynx.
“Courtney has been around for a while,” trainer Cheryl Reeve said. “She played in the finals games and she knew her team needed her to be aggressive.”
