How the Lynx won Game 4, forced WNBA Finals to winner-take-all

In fact it should 5.

The 2024 WNBA Finals have been a curler coaster filled with shut finishes and big-time performs. So it is solely becoming that one of the vital thrilling championship collection in current reminiscence will go the gap. The Minnesota Lynx’s 82-80 Recreation 4 victory Friday in opposition to the New York Liberty ensured a winner-take-all showdown Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Barclays Middle.

Not like the historic comebacks that outlined Video games 1 and three, Recreation 4 was a back-and-forth affair, with 14 lead adjustments and 13 ties. No staff led by greater than six factors.

New York had a possibility to take the lead within the remaining minute however missed three pictures in a single possession, which ended on a shot clock violation. It appeared like a second extra time sport of this Finals was imminent, however Bridget Carleton drew a foul with 2.0 seconds left after getting an offensive rebound on a Courtney Williams missed shot. The Lynx ahead hit each free throws to place Minnesota forward for good and ship the collection again to New York.

ESPN breaks down how the Lynx evened the collection and what to anticipate in what ought to be an iconic finish to the Finals on Sunday.

WNBA Finals Recreation 4s in a New York uniform have not been type to Stewart. After she shot 3-for-17 from the sphere a yr in the past when the Las Vegas Aces clinched the title, Stewart’s evening Friday was practically as robust. She scored 11 factors on 5-for-21 taking pictures (and missed all 4 3-point makes an attempt) — one sport after Stewart was the dominant pressure Wednesday with 30 factors and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota’s protection is the largest motive there can be a Recreation 5. The Lynx despatched extra defenders at Stewart earlier in possessions Friday. At any time when she caught the ball contained in the 3-point line, Stewart needed to take care of two defenders, one to forestall a quick-release jumper, the opposite to chop off a driving lane. It was a case of a veteran coach implementing a sport plan that solely a savvy and team-oriented protection may execute possession after possession.

Stewart did get some open appears that she missed, however the Lynx — led by Napheesa Collier, the WNBA’s defensive participant of the yr — deserve a lot of the credit score. — Creme

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Sandy Brondello was vital of Friday’s officiating, saying, “We obtained no calls.” Did the officiating have an effect on the result of Recreation 4?

No staff received or misplaced due to the foul disparity Friday. Stewart was the one participant in foul bother, and he or she nonetheless managed to play 33 minutes. Sure, Minnesota had extra alternatives on the free throw line, however Stewart’s and Sabrina Ionescu’s taking pictures struggles (a mixed 10-for-36 from the sphere, 0-for-9 from 3) had extra to do with the Liberty’s incapability to shut it out. New York had three pictures on its final full offensive possession and wasn’t in a position to convert any of them.

Brondello might need wished to reply after Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve referred to as out the officiating the evening earlier than throughout interviews, however she can be extra targeted on cleansing up issues offensively and serving to her staff overcome a few of their turnover issues — these continued into Friday’s sport (16 turnovers for 19 factors). — Philippou

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What affect did position gamers have on Recreation 4?

Remarkably, Minnesota pulled off its greatest win of the season with zero factors within the fourth quarter from both Collier or Williams. Kayla McBride had a superb evening with a team-leading 19 factors, however she was quiet within the second half with solely 5. Alanna Smith and Carleton scored seven of Minnesota’s final 9 factors and delivered within the clutch. They every completed with 12 factors and mixed for 11 rebounds. The Lynx even obtained an necessary 10 minutes defensively from Dorkha Juhasz, who had performed solely two minutes within the earlier three video games.

That New York nearly left Minnesota with a championship regardless of Stewart’s robust evening is a testomony to the contributions of Leonie Fiebich, who had 19 factors, seven of which got here within the fourth quarter. — Creme

Cecilia Zandalasini delivered one other clutch efficiency. The Minnesota ahead completed with plus-6 plus/minus (with six factors and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes). She is the one participant from the 2017 Lynx championship staff nonetheless on the roster, returning to the league after a five-year hiatus.

“Ceci is hard. Goes by a stretch of video games the place perhaps she’s not contributing like she needs to contribute, after which rapidly we had a Ceci sighting at shootaround the opposite day, and these final two video games, actually serving to us.” Reeve stated Friday. “We have all the time tried to get her again right here. Timing was good for this one, and he or she’s been a terrific match for us.” — Philippou

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Stewart has a historical past of bouncing again. What do you count on from her Sunday?

It could be no shock to see Stewart wanting fully totally different Sunday. Within the common season, her lowest level whole in a sport was eight factors. Two days later, she had 31 factors and 10 rebounds. An 11-point sport late within the season was adopted by 38 the subsequent. Stewart’s low for the playoffs was 13 in Recreation 2 in opposition to Atlanta within the first spherical — she then opened the semifinals in opposition to Las Vegas with 34 factors.

At this level, a bounce-back sport is nearly a calling card. Stewart may not hit 30 factors in Recreation 5, however she can be significantly better. — Creme

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Who has the benefit in Recreation 5?

In a collection like this, “who is aware of” is likely to be the most secure reply. Each groups have loads of positives to remove from Friday. Minnesota received regardless of not getting a terrific sport from Collier. The Lynx additionally can have gained confidence on the best way to include Stewart. Smith appeared wholesome after a again damage in Recreation 3. That ought to make Reeve extra sure of her rotations and bench minutes.

The Liberty can take solace within the truth they practically stole one with Stewart having one of many worst video games of her profession. In addition they know she is a counter puncher who usually finds a method to bounce again. Jones performed extra confidently as nicely.

Momentum? Edge to Minnesota. Residence courtroom? Edge to New York. Flip a coin and hope that Recreation 5 is simply as entertaining because the earlier 4. — Creme

It ought to be New York being again on its house courtroom, however with the best way the primary 4 video games of the collection have gone, I do not assume something would shock me at this level. — Philippou