Napheesa Collier had 30 points and nine rebounds, Kayla McBride added 24 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the short-handed New York Liberty 100-93 in a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals.

Laughter rippled through the arena, especially among several attendees wearing “Stewart walked” shirts. Nine months after their 2024 WNBA Finals showdown — and a controversial overtime Game 5 loss coach Cheryl Reeve said was “stolen” from her team — Lynx fans were more than ready for the rematch.

When last we saw the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty together on the court nine months ago, it was Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA finals, a contest where a late traveling non-call followed by a questionable defensive foul went against the Lynx and the title went to New York.