Just one week ago, the Minnesota Lynx stomped the Las Vegas Aces by 31 points thanks to an efficient 48 combined points from Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams. In the 109-78 victory on July 25, the Lynx (23-5) held the Aces to 38 percent shooting and connected on nearly 55 percent of their own attempts.

Yet, in the first meeting between the Liberty, the defending WNBA champs, and the Lynx, the team with the best record in the league, since that epic finals clash, it was clear how much it mattered to both teams.