This time it wasn’t close: Lynx destroy Liberty in ‘wubble,’ 94-64

After two heartbreaking losses, the Liberty took a hit Saturday night, losing to the Lynx, 94-64, their ninth loss in 10 games.

In one way, the loss had a heartbreaking element. New York stuck with the Lynx early, but Minnesota broke it open.

Minnesota struck first and went on a 7-2 run to open the game but New York quickly hit back. Neah Odom scored six of the team’s first nine points. New York went on a 4-0 run and took its first lead of the game with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter.

The Lynx’s 9-4 run to end the first quarter gave them a five-point lead heading into the second quarter. The Liberty outscored the Lynx, 7-4, with 6:29 remaining in the second quarter to cut the deficit to only two points (29-27).

The Lynx went on an 8-0 run, to take a 10-point lead with 2:51 remaining in the half. New York ended the second quarter on a 5-2 run. However, Minnesota outscored the Liberty 17-13 in total and went into the locker room up 9 points.

It was all downhill after that.

Minnesota held the Liberty to a season-low 64 points in the contest. New York’s previous season-low of 66 points also came against Minnesota on August 5.

There was some good news for the rebuilding Liberty: Four of New York’s top five scorers against the Lynx were rookies

Jazmine Jones continued to lead the Liberty. She scored a team-high 13 points, which is now her third consecutive game in double-digit scoring figures...

Fellow rookie Kylee Shook tied her career-best scoring performance with nine points over 24 minutes, also a career-high. Neah Odom recorded eight points, six of which came during an early Liberty run in the first quarter.

For the Lynx, the win was a diversion from the bad news they had received about one of their stars.

Lynx center Sylvia Fowles had been diagnosed earlier with a strained right calf and ruled out indefinitely. The WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds exited the Lynx game against Las Vegas on Thursday

During the Liberty game, Fowles was wearing a protective boot on her right calf and leg. “Even more so now,’’ Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said of how much the Lynx need Fowles, “Where she might be keyed on, just the importance of her being a great player who makes her teammates better. She knows how to get that done.’’

Napheesa Collier was just one-point shy of her career-best, scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota. The Lynx out-scored New York in the paint, 40-22, and turned 20 Liberty turnovers into 25 points. The Lynx also held the Liberty to 30.3 percent (20-for-66) overall.

The Liberty play the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 PM ET on Fox Sports GO.

• Game Report: Minnesota Lynx 94, New York Liberty 64 - WNBA.com
• Napheesa Collier leads Lynx to blowout win over New York - Kent Youngblood - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
• Lynx Break Away From Liberty In Second Half, New York Falls 94-64 - New York Liberty