Ionescu is a star and a United States Olympian. Williams produced 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ionescu managed 19-5-3.
Williams scored the Lynx’s last eight points of regulation, including a four-point play on a three-pointer while getting fouled by Ionescu.
• Yes, Napheesa Collier is one of the world’s best players, and appears to be in a running duel with friend and fellow UConn alum Brianna Stewart for No. 2 on the list behind Aces star A’ja Wilson.
Thursday, Collier played brilliant defense and finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and six blocks. She even blocked Liberty center Jonquel Jones, who was 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 her right hand.
• No, the Lynx don’t have the star power or recent résumé‚ of the Liberty, who finished with the best record in the league and lost to Las Vegas in last year’s WNBA Finals. But the Lynx were the best team in the league after the All-Star break, and they survived the tougher semifinal, beating Connecticut in five games, with a blowout victory in Tuesday’s decisive Game 5.
• The Liberty looked intent on pressing their most obvious advantage Thursday: rebounding.