The Lynx's overtime win over Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals ranks among the franchise's best

Ionescu is a star and United States Olympian. Williams scored 23 points, five rebounds and five assists while Ionescu went 19-5-3.

Williams scored the Lynx's final eight points in regulation, including a four-point game with a three-pointer while being fouled by Ionescu.

• Yes, Napheesa Collier is one of the best players in the world and appears to be in a running duel with her friend and UConn colleague Brianna Stewart for the No. 2 spot on the list behind Aces star A'ja Wilson.

On Thursday, Collier played brilliant defense and finished the game with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and six blocks. She even blocked Liberty center Jonquel Jones, a force all night, while Jones had her left arm hooked as she tried to make a layup under the basket. Collier simply blocked the shot with his right hand.

• No, the Lynx don't have the star power or current resume of the Liberty, who finished with the league's best record and lost to Las Vegas in the WNBA Finals last year. But the Lynx were the best team in the league after the All-Star break and survived the more difficult semifinals, defeating Connecticut in five games and earning a resounding victory in Tuesday's deciding Game 5.

• The Liberty appeared intent Thursday on taking advantage of its most obvious advantage: recovery.