MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a thrilling showdown, the Minnesota Lynx managed to stave off elimination and push the WNBA Finals to a decisive Game 5 with a narrow 82-80 victory over the New York Liberty. Bridget Carleton emerged as the hero, sinking two critical free throws with just two seconds remaining on the clock.
The decisive matchup is set for Sunday night in New York, marking the first Game 5 of the Finals since 2019, when the Washington Mystics defeated the Connecticut Sun.
“We’re going to be out there together going to war,” said Lynx guard Kayla McBride, who led the team with 19 points. “I’m pumped.”
Courtney Williams added 15 points, helping Minnesota hold Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu to subpar performances. Ionescu’s last-second attempt failed to hit the rim, sealing the Lynx's win.
“It’s a Game 5 of the Finals. We have to go out and execute,” said Napheesa Collier, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming game.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who has experience in high-pressure situations, reflected on the significance of the moment. “I feel very blessed to have been a part of so many. What I’m thrilled about is that this group gets to experience the Game 5.”
Unlike the previous three games in the series, where one team often established a double-digit lead, this contest was fiercely competitive. There were 14 lead changes and 13 ties, with neither team leading by more than six points.
“It was going to be that type of game tonight,” said Liberty forward Jonquel Jones, who led New York with 21 points. “Both teams are trying to claw and figure out how to get over the hump.”
With the score tied at 80 and just 18 seconds left, Williams missed a jumper but Carleton grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Ionescu. “She wanted to get it high and off the rim,” Carleton noted, describing the moment leading up to her free throws.
The 27-year-old Canadian displayed calm under pressure, confidently converting both attempts. In contrast, Ionescu couldn’t replicate her Game 3 heroics, where she sank a long-range shot to give the Liberty the series lead.
Leonie Fiebich also contributed significantly for New York, scoring 19 points, while Stewart struggled, managing only 11 points on 5-of-20 shooting. Ionescu finished with 10 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
The Lynx are now one win away from claiming their fifth WNBA title, which would break their tie with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm. Meanwhile, the Liberty are seeking their first championship, having reached the Finals five times without a title. New York is also the only original WNBA franchise, established in 1997, that has yet to win.
After falling to the Las Vegas Aces in last year’s Finals, Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the Aces’ Game 4 victory that clinched their championship.
The Lynx last appeared in the Finals in 2017, when they won their fourth championship in seven years. In this game, Minnesota took a 77-72 lead with 3:14 remaining, thanks to a 3-pointer from Carleton. However, New York responded with eight of the next 11 points, culminating in a three-point play by Jones that tied the game at 80 with just over a minute to play.
Both teams had opportunities to take the lead before Carleton’s free throws. McBride missed a layup with 56 seconds left, but Minnesota’s defense forced a shot-clock violation on New York’s ensuing possession, stifling Stewart’s attempt in the lane.
Stewart expressed optimism heading into the final game, emphasizing the support from their fans. “Whenever we’re fighting through adversity, we know we have the crowd behind us. That’s just going to continue to motivate us.”
As the stage is set for Game 5, both teams are gearing up for an electrifying conclusion to the Finals, with everything on the line.
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