Lynx 82, Liberty 80: Bridget Carleton’s Late Free Throws Force Winner-Take-All Game 5

With their backs against the wall in a win-or-go-home Game 4 on Friday night at Target Center, the Minnesota Lynx pulled out a must-win victory to force a winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday.

After a thrilling Game 3 — and really an entertaining series in totality — the WNBA Finals returned to the court Friday night with win-or-go-home implications in downtown Minneapolis.

For the New York Liberty, they needed a win to claim their first WNBA title in franchise history.

For the Minnesota Lynx, they had their backs against the wall in a win-or-go-home situation while attempting to force a Game 5.

With both teams emptying the tank and putting it all on the court in Game 4, it was Minnesota that came out on top thanks to two late free throws to push it to an 82-80 victory.

“This team has the unique ability to believe in themselves and believe in each other,” Cheryl Reeve said after the win. “I was sure we were going to be the Minnesota Lynx and how we’ve done things all season long. … This group is equip to handle it. It’s special.”

And now, this outstanding, all-timer of a series heads to a winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday in Brooklyn.

“We’re excited,” Napheesa Collier said of the upcoming Game 5. “I’m just thinking it’s Game 5 of the Finals and we need to go out and execute.”

Back and Forth Battle

In each of the first three games of the Finals, one of the two teams led by at least 10 points in the opening half.

Game 4 was different, with both teams essentially going shot-for-shot in the first two quarters and not letting up the rest of the game. In the first half, Minnesota and New York exchanged leads 10 times, with the game knotted up a total of six times.

In the second half, that continued with the two squads trading leads throughout the final 20 minutes, with the Lynx narrowly leading by one point entering the fourth and final frame.

With 10 minutes left at Target Center, neither team let up. With things once again going back-and-forth in the fourth quarter, it once again came down to the final seconds to decide who would come out on top.

With seconds remaining in regulation and the game tied 80-80, Bridget Carleton cleaned up a missed jumper by Courtney Williams and was fouled on the put-back, putting her at the line for a chance to take the lead with two seconds remaining.

Carleton had ice in her veins, burying both free throws to give the Lynx a two-point advantage, which ended up being enough following a missed three by New York’s Sabrina Ionescu — the hero in Game 3 — as the buzzer sounded.

“It’s an epitome of the year that she’s had and how important she is to this team,” Reeve said postgame. “That’s what she does every day, she’s the same and you can always count on her. … We’re super proud of Bridget.”

This series has been an unbelievable one and one that has been incredibly tight throughout. Game 4 followed suit, which made for another exciting game and finish in Minneapolis.

Spread Out Attack

For really the first time of the Finals, Minnesota put together a balanced performance across the starting lineup and off the bench, which was key while going up against a New York team that was doing the same thing on its end.

All five Lynx starters ended in double figures in scoring, led by Kayla McBride with 19 points and four assists. Behind McBride, Williams had 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Collier tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals, and both Carleton and Alanna Smith added 12 points a piece.

“I just wanted to be out there with my teammates and give everything we had,” McBride said after the win. “I was excited to be out there, excited to be competing again after the last game.”

The bench play was key down the stretch as well, providing a spark after not doing a great job at doing so in the first three games. Cecilia Zandalasini was stellar off the bench, ending with six points and four rebounds, while Dorka Juhász stepped up with an increased minute total in Game 4 and Natisha Hiedeman was a spark despite dealing with a thumb injury midway through the contest.

During the regular season and leading up to the Finals, Minnesota was a dangerous team and a tough one to top when it spread things out offensively and had offensive production from numerous players.

That Lynx team returned in Game 4, and it was a big reason they were able to cross the finish line to survive to play in the final game of the year with a title on the line.

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Box Score

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Up Next

Here’s the full schedule and broadcast information for the Finals:

• Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 10 — Minnesota 95, New York 93 (OT)
• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 13 — New York 80, Minnesota 66
• Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16 — New York 80, Minnesota 77
• Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18 — Minnesota 82, New York 80
• Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 20 — 7PM CT at Barclays Center (ESPN)