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Thrilling Showdown: Minnesota Stuns New York to Set Up Epic Game 5 in WNBA Finals!

WNBA finals: Minnesota hold off New York to force winner-take-all Game 5 | WNBA

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In ⁣a thrilling showdown, Bridget ⁣Carleton sank two crucial‍ free throws ‌with just two seconds remaining, securing ‍an 82-80 victory for the Minnesota Lynx over the New York Liberty and compelling ​a decisive‍ Game ⁣5 in the WNBA finals on Friday night.

This ‍exhilarating Game 5 is set to take place on Sunday ⁤night in New York, ⁤marking the first time since 2019 that the finals have ​reached this pivotal stage, when the Washington ⁣Mystics triumphed over the Connecticut Sun.

“The ⁢final 40 minutes of this season could be anyone’s game; we’re ready to give it our all, and I’m excited,” expressed Kayla McBride, who topped the⁣ Lynx’s ‍scoring with 19 points.

Courtney Williams contributed with 15 ⁢points for Minnesota, playing a vital role in limiting the​ scoring of Liberty stars Breanna ​Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.⁢ Ionescu’s final shot at the buzzer ‌fell short, not even ⁢touching the rim.

2024 WNBA Finals Overview

“We are definitely energized,” stated Napheesa​ Collier. “It’s Game 5 of‍ the finals, and we need to execute our game plan flawlessly.”

In contrast to the previous‌ three games of​ the series, where one team dominated with⁣ double-digit leads, this⁤ match remained intensely competitive‌ throughout. The⁤ game ⁤featured 14 lead changes and‍ 13 ties, with neither team⁤ stretching their advantage beyond six points.

With a tied score⁢ of 80-80 and only 18 seconds on the clock, Williams ⁤dribbled to run down the ⁢time but⁤ missed her jumper.⁢ Carleton seized the rebound in the paint ‍and ⁤was ​fouled by Ionescu.

Displaying composure, Carleton converted⁣ both free throws, while Ionescu couldn’t replicate her previous​ late-game ‌heroics from Game 3, where she had ⁣hit a remarkable⁤ 28-footer to give the Liberty ⁢a series ‌lead.

“It was a strategic play to get [Jonquel Jones] positioned down ​low, but Sabrina ⁣needed‌ to step out,” commented ⁢Liberty coach Sandy⁣ Brondello regarding the critical ⁣last play. “In the crunch time, we aimed to get ⁢the ball to our strongest post player, but their defense executed​ flawlessly.”

Jones led New York with 21 points, while Leonie Fiebich added 19.‍ In contrast, Stewart, who scored 30 points in Game 3, struggled ⁤with only 11 points on‍ 5-of-20 shooting, and Ionescu ended with ​10⁢ points⁣ on 5-of-16 shooting.

The‍ Lynx are⁣ on the brink ⁣of securing a historic fifth WNBA championship, which would surpass the titles held​ by‌ the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm. Meanwhile, the Liberty, who are still​ in ‍pursuit‌ of their first championship after⁣ five finals defeats, were one of the original franchises when‌ the league ‍commenced in 1997‌ but remain the sole team among the⁤ original⁣ eight yet to claim the title.

The Liberty⁤ faced Las Vegas ⁤in last season’s finals, and Friday marked the anniversary of the Aces clinching⁣ the title in Game 4.

The​ Lynx have not been in the ‌finals since 2017, the ‌year in which they secured their fourth championship in a remarkable run of seven years.

Minnesota had established a 77-72 lead with just ⁤over three minutes‌ left, but New ⁢York rallied,‌ scoring eight ‍of the ⁤next 11 points, including a pivotal three-point ​play by Jones with 1:10 on the clock to level ​the score at 80.

Both teams had opportunities before Carleton stepped to the ​foul line. McBride ⁢missed a layup with 56 seconds remaining, but the Lynx’s defense ​forced a shot-clock violation on the‌ other end when Stewart’s lane shot missed its ‌target with 18 seconds on ‍the clock.

“We aimed to secure the victory tonight, but ⁤as ‍Sandy noted, our fans ‌are​ unparalleled. Heading into our⁣ home environment‌ on Sunday, knowing we have their​ unwavering support,⁤ will be‍ crucial during challenging moments,” said‍ Stewart.‍ “I’m​ eagerly anticipating ⁣Sunday’s game.”

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