Lynx Beat Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty with Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart Out

The Minnesota Lynx widened their lead atop the WNBA standings with an 83-71 win over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Sunday.

This was the second time the teams have matched up since the 2024 WNBA, though injuries to stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart removed some of the stakes from the occasion.

The game was nonetheless an opportunity for the Lynx or Liberty to make a statement with the two appearing to be the strongest title contenders in the field.

In the case of Minnesota, the outing demonstrated what midseason acquisition DiJonai Carrington brings to the table. The reigning Most Improved Player had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals off the bench.

Only three games into her Lynx tenure, Carrington has made a seamless transition to her new surroundings.

Especially with Collier out, Carrington's contributions are invaluable to head coach Cheryl Reeve right now, and she adds to what was the league's deepest squad.

Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams combined for 32 points against the Liberty, while Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench to score 13. Alanna Smith wasn't far off from a triple-double (eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists).

Minnesota's collective effort on defense sans Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year winner, is also a great sign looking ahead to later in the year. The Liberty shot 7-of-22 from beyond the arc, and four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu couldn't find her rhythm all game.

Ionescu had 10 points and missed the mark with all six of her long-range attempts. Jonquel Jones had a somewhat muted impact as well, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

New York starts a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks, while Minnesota is off until it welcomes the Liberty to Minneapolis on Saturday. The teams will turn around and play again at Barclays Center on Aug. 19.

Maybe Collier is back from her ankle sprain at that point, but it would be pushing the most optimistic assessment for her recovery timeline.