Ultimately, we have the WNBA Finals matchup we’ve been wanting.

The 2024 championship series will feature the two leading teams of the season: the top-seeded New York Liberty and the second-seeded Minnesota Lynx. This matchup was confirmed on Tuesday when Minnesota defeated the third-seeded Connecticut Sun 88-77 in a crucial Game 5. The Lynx and Liberty will face off in Brooklyn on Thursday for Game 1 of the Finals.

With their victory over Connecticut, the Lynx broke a notable trend in the WNBA playoffs: prior to Tuesday, the last seven winner-take-all matches had favored the visiting team.

However, Minnesota dominated the Sun, scoring 53 points in the first half—the highest total Connecticut had allowed this season—and held Connecticut without a basket for over six minutes during the second quarter.

The case of Minnesota is quite fascinating, aptly described by Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon during the other semifinal where New York triumphed over Vegas (New York won in four games). Hammon remarked that the Lynx had “good talent” but functioned as a “great team,” in contrast to the Aces, who possessed “great talent” yet only had a “good team.”

Hammon’s statement is accurate. The Lynx’s standout player is forward Napheesa Collier (20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals, shooting 49.2% from the field). The 28-year-old, who was named Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in MVP voting, is formidable in the paint, adept at finding various ways to score near and away from the basket. Remarkably, Collier has upped her playoff scoring average to 27.1.

Beyond Collier, the Lynx excel as a cohesive unit. Kayla McBride (15.0 points, shooting 40.7% from three-point range) is an excellent perimeter shooter, while guard Courtney Williams (11.1 points, 5.5 assists) shines in mid-range shots. The Lynx focus on a selfless, defense-oriented style of play. (In their Game 5 against Connecticut, Minnesota forced the Sun into 19 turnovers, converting them into 22 points.) They truly embody the essence of a team.

The Lynx have also been the only team to consistently challenge the Liberty this season. Minnesota achieved victories against New York in the Commissioner’s Cup on June 25 and twice in the regular season, including a win on the Liberty’s home turf last month. New York’s sole triumph over Minnesota was on July 2 in Brooklyn—after Minnesota bolstered their squad with Myisha Hines-Allen in August through a trade.

Although they ranked as the No. 2 seed, Minnesota has showcased the strongest performance since the league resumed following the Paris Olympics. This matchup seems fated.

An intriguing element could be the coaching. Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve has previously guided the Lynx to four championships (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017), although not with this particular group. Her extensive championship experience—combined with her role in leading Team USA to an Olympic gold medal this summer—might prove invaluable. Recognized as a brilliant strategist, she may have the upper hand. Meanwhile, New York’s Sandy Brondello has one title from her debut season in 2014 with Phoenix, also witnessing 2021 and 2023 Finals appearances with her teams, which ultimately finished as runners-up.

The bottom line: The 2024 WNBA Finals is set to be a spectacular series, and with some luck, we’ll enjoy all five games.