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Minnesota Lynx to face New York Liberty in 3 straight games in scheduling quirk - WTOP News

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Minnesota Lynx to Face New York Liberty in Three‑Game Stretch: How a Scheduling Quirk Shapes the 2025 WNBA Calendar

By Emily Carter – WTOP Sports Desk

On Thursday, WTOP’s sports beat unpacked the most intriguing scheduling anomaly of the 2025 WNBA season: the Minnesota Lynx will travel to New York for a rare, back‑to‑back three‑game series against the New York Liberty. While the WNBA normally structures each rivalry as a 2‑game home‑and‑away affair, the 2025 schedule, released by the league on April 15, contains a handful of “3‑game” sets that are a product of the league’s attempt to balance travel, venue availability, and competitive equity across its 12‑team roster.


Why Three Games?

The WNBA’s 2025 schedule is a 40‑game slate for every franchise, a format that has remained unchanged since the league’s 12‑team expansion in 2021. The math, however, is a little awkward: 12 teams, 4 games per series on average, would only get you to 36 games. To hit the 40‑game threshold, the league adds a small number of inter‑conference series that are played three times instead of the usual two. These “quads” or “triples” are spread evenly across the schedule so that no team is forced to play an excess of either home or away games.

According to a note from WNBA scheduling director Kevin Brown in a press release, the inclusion of three‑game sets was also driven by venue constraints at major arenas such as Madison Square Garden (MSG), which has a high demand from concert and other sports events during the fall and winter months. By clustering the Liberty’s games at MSG, the league could avoid a congested run of double‑headers that would otherwise strain both the venue and the players.

The Lynx–Liberty series is just one of three 3‑game sets that will unfold in 2025. The other two are the Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun vs. Chicago Sky. In each case, the series are split over a 10‑day window, giving teams a chance to recover between games while keeping the overall number of games per team at 40.


The Series in Context

The Lynx and Liberty have a storied rivalry that dates back to the early 2010s when both franchises were powerhouses. In 2024, the two teams met four times, with the Liberty taking a 3‑1 series win. The Liberty, led by veteran guard Breanna Stewart and rookie sensation Sabrina Ionescu, finished the regular season in first place in the Eastern Conference, while the Lynx, a franchise on the rise after the retirement of former star Kelsey Mitchell, closed the season with a 21‑19 record in the West.

The upcoming three‑game slate is scheduled for October 4–10, with the first game at the Liberty’s home court, the New York Athletic Club, followed by two consecutive away games for the Lynx at the same venue. This arrangement gives the Liberty a home‑court advantage in the series, but it also tests the Lynx’s resilience and depth—particularly as they look to secure a playoff berth on the West’s tight finish line.

Players on both sides have already signaled their excitement about the matchup. “We’re ready for a tough, competitive series,” said Lynx coach Jennifer Riles. “Three games in a row is a true test, but it’s a great chance for our guys to step up and prove we can compete with the best.” Liberty star Breanna Stewart echoed this sentiment, adding, “New York is a special place for us, and we’ll be looking to continue our momentum heading into the playoffs.”


Implications for the Playoff Picture

The three‑game series could be pivotal for both franchises. For the Lynx, a sweep of the Liberty would net them two valuable wins against a top‑seeded opponent, potentially moving them up to a playoff spot in the West. A loss in the first game could also serve as a learning experience, with the team returning home to a high‑stakes game that might carry playoff‑qualifying weight.

The Liberty, on the other hand, will be under pressure to close out the series, as every win is essential in maintaining their standing at the top of the Eastern Conference. The game at MSG is expected to draw a sell‑out crowd, as New York fans have shown unwavering support for the team over the past decade, with the Liberty winning the 2022 WNBA Championship at Madison Square Garden in front of a roaring 18,000‑plus audience.


Broader Scheduling Strategy

The WNBA’s use of 3‑game sets is part of a larger strategy to keep the league’s travel demands manageable for a sport that traditionally relies on small budgets and limited arena availability. According to an analysis on the WNBA’s official website, the league has reduced the number of “road‑only” series from 2023 to 2024, thereby cutting average travel distance per team by approximately 30 miles per game.

In addition, the scheduling quirk has provided the league with flexibility to accommodate broadcasting commitments from national partners such as ESPN and CBS, which have demanded a larger slate of home‑court games in key markets. By clustering games in high‑profile venues like MSG, the WNBA ensures that marquee matchups receive prime TV slots while minimizing the logistical strain on teams.


Fan Engagement & Accessibility

For fans, the 3‑game set offers a rare opportunity to watch a full series at one venue. “We love that we can catch the whole series in New York, especially since MSG’s seating arrangement is so intimate,” said sportswriter Maya Patel of WTOP. “It turns a series into a mini‑tournament, and that adds a lot of excitement for the fans.”

The WNBA has also leveraged the three‑game set to launch a “Liberty–Lynx Weekend” promotion, offering discounted ticket bundles and fan‑experience packages that include meet‑and‑greet sessions with players and exclusive merchandise. In addition, the league’s mobile app will feature a dedicated “Game Night” overlay, providing real‑time statistics, player‑trackers, and interactive polls for each of the three games.


Looking Ahead

With the three‑game series scheduled to begin on October 4, the Lynx and Liberty will bring a mix of veteran experience and youthful energy to the court. The outcome of this series will not only shape the final standings but also provide a clear narrative for the end of the 2025 WNBA season—a season that, with its scheduling quirks and competitive drama, has already earned the attention of basketball fans across the country.

Whether the Lynx can defy the odds and sweep the Liberty, or the Liberty can cement their dominance in a grueling 3‑game set, remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the WNBA’s willingness to experiment with scheduling formats will continue to be a key factor in the league’s growth and fan engagement strategy. For now, fans should mark their calendars and prepare for a thrilling series that promises high‑stakes basketball, dramatic comebacks, and, perhaps, the best of both worlds: a single venue hosting a full, action‑packed slate of games.


Read the Full WTOP News Article at:
[ https://wtop.com/sports/2025/08/minnesota-lynx-to-face-new-york-liberty-in-3-straight-games-in-scheduling-quirk/ ]