Ionescu is a star and an Olympian from the United States. Williams produced 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ionescu went 19-5-3.

Williams scored the Lynx’s final eight points of regulation, including a four-point play on a three-pointer while being fouled by Ionescu.

• Yes, Napheesa Collier is one of the best players in the world and appears to be in a running duel with friend and fellow UConn alumnus Brianna Stewart for No. 2 on the list behind Aces star A’ja Wilson.

On Thursday, Collier played brilliant defense, finishing 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, as Jones held her left arm while trying 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 resume‚ 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 survived the tougher semifinal, beating Connecticut in five games with an upset victory in Tuesday’s decisive Game 5.

• The Liberty seemed determined Thursday to capitalize on their most obvious advantage: a rebound.