The WNBA Finals are tied 1-1 as the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx head to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday.

In Game 1, the Lynx staged a dramatic comeback from a staggering 18-point deficit, marking one of the biggest turnarounds in WNBA Finals history to secure the victory along with home-court advantage. However, they again trailed by as much as 17 points in Game 2. Fortunately for the Liberty, they responded with a powerful 12-0 run in the final moments, sealing the win and leveling the series.

Despite gaining a crucial win, the Lynx need to improve their performance in front of their home fans.

“It’s frustrating that we allowed them to get ahead by 17. I’m not just disappointed; I’m angry about this happening again,” commented Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve after the loss on Sunday.

Lynx player Napheesa Collier shared her feelings about the game, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with how they performed but expressing eagerness to play better in front of their supporters. “We must step up our performance,” she stated.

Here’s what you need to know for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals:

When is WNBA Finals Game 3?

Game 3 will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Where to watch Game 3 of the WNBA Finals

The game will be aired live on ESPN, featuring Ryan Ruocco as the play-by-play commentator, with Rebecca Lobo as the analyst and Holly Rowe on the sidelines. You can also watch it on ESPN+ or the ESPN app, and it’s available on Fubo as well.

Key Players to Watch in Game 3

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton

Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is still recovering from knee surgery in July, but she made significant strides in Game 2, scoring 20 points after just five in Game 1. The Liberty’s star trio — Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones — have each scored in double digits throughout the series, yet Laney-Hamilton’s contribution on both offense and defense is crucial to withstanding the Lynx’s efforts.

Alanna Smith

Though Lynx forward Alanna Smith is shorter than Jonquel Jones, she played a protective role against Jones in Game 2, limiting her performance significantly. After Jones had a strong showing in Game 1 with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Smith managed to restrict her to only 14 points, nine rebounds, and caused four turnovers in Game 2. The Lynx will depend on Smith’s defensive strategies to curb the Liberty’s scoring opportunities.

WNBA Titles: New York Liberty

The Liberty are on the hunt for their first-ever championship. They came close last year, reaching the 2023 WNBA Finals but fell to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. This marks their sixth Finals appearance since their inception (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2023), yet they have not secured a title as of yet.

WNBA Titles: Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx have claimed a total of four championships. Over a period of seven years, they captured four titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and reached the Finals six times, with star players including Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, and Sylvia Fowles. The current WNBA Finals represent the Lynx’s first championship appearance since winning in 2017.

2024 WNBA Finals Quick Schedule

• Game 1: Lynx 95, Liberty 93
• Game 2: Liberty 80, Lynx 66
• Game 3, Wednesday, Oct. 16: Liberty vs. Lynx; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 4, Friday, Oct. 18: Liberty vs. Lynx; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 5*, Sunday, Oct. 20: Lynx at Liberty; 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)