How the Lynx won Game 4 and forced the WNBA Finals to win it all

Of course it will be five.

The 2024 WNBA Finals were a rollercoaster ride full of close calls and great plays. So it's only fitting that one of the most exciting championship series in recent memory goes the distance. The Minnesota Lynx's 82-80 Game 4 win over the New York Liberty on Friday set up a winner-take-all showdown at Barclays Center on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Unlike the historic comebacks that characterized Games 1 and 3, Game 4 was a back-and-forth affair with 14 lead changes and 13 ties. No team led by more than six points.

New York had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, but missed three shots on one possession, which ended in a shot clock violation. It seemed like a second overtime game of this final was imminent, but Bridget Carleton drew a foul with 2.0 seconds left after grabbing an offensive rebound on a Courtney Williams miss. The Lynx forward hit both free throws, giving Minnesota the lead for good and sending the series back to New York.

ESPN explains how the Lynx tied the series and what to expect in Sunday's iconic finale to the Finals.

WNBA Finals Game 4s in a New York uniform were not kind to Stewart. After shooting 3 of 17 from the field a year ago when the Las Vegas Aces won the title, Stewart's night on Friday was almost as tough. She scored 11 points on 5-for-20 shooting (and missed all four 3-point attempts) – a game after Stewart was the dominant force on Wednesday with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota's defense is the main reason there will be a Game 5. The Lynx sent more defenders at Stewart early in Friday's possession. Whenever she caught the ball inside the 3-point line, Stewart had to deal with two defenders, one to prevent a quick jumper and the other to cut off a lane. This was an experienced coach who implemented a game plan in which only a smart, team-oriented defense could convert possession one possession at a time.

Stewart did get some open looks that eluded her, but the Lynx — led by WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier — deserve most of the credit. — cream

Sandy Brondello criticized the officiating on Friday, saying, “We didn't get any calls.” Did the officiating influence the outcome of Game 4?

Because of the foul tie on Friday, neither team won or lost. Stewart was the only player to have foul trouble and still managed to play 33 minutes. Yes, Minnesota had more opportunities at the free throw line, but Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu's shooting woes (a combined 10 of 36 from the field, 0 of 9 from 3) had more to do with the Liberty's inability to break the deadlock Ball to close out. New York had three shots on its last full offensive possession and failed to convert any of them.

Brondello might have wanted to respond after Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve called out the referee in interviews the night before, but she will be more focused on sorting things out on offense and helping her team overcome some of its turnover problems – These continued in the game on Friday (16 turnovers for 19 points). — Philippou

What impact did role players have on Game 4?

What's notable is that Minnesota earned its biggest win of the season with zero fourth-quarter points from Collier or Williams. Kayla McBride had a good night with a team-high 19 points, but was quiet in the second half with just five points. Alanna Smith and Carleton scored seven of Minnesota's final nine points and delivered in the final period. They finished the game with 12 points each and combined for 11 rebounds. The Lynx even got an important 10 minutes on defense from Dorkha Juhasz, who had only played two minutes in the last three games.

That New York almost left Minnesota with a championship despite Stewart's tough night is a testament to the contribution of Leonie Fiebich, who scored 19 points, seven of them in the fourth quarter. — cream

Cecilia Zandalasini delivered another clutch performance. The Minnesota forward finished the game at plus-6 plus/minus (with six points and four rebounds in 16 minutes). She is the only player from the 2017 Lynx championship team still on the roster, returning to the league after a five-year hiatus.

“Ceci is tough. Has had a run of games where she's maybe not contributing the way she wants to and then all of a sudden we had a Ceci sighting at shootaround the other day and those last two games really helped us,” Reeve said on Friday . “We always tried to bring her back here. The timing was good this time and she was a great fit for us.” — Philippou

Stewart has a history of success. What do you expect from her on Sunday?

It wouldn't be a surprise if Stewart looked completely different on Sunday. In the regular season, their lowest point total in a game was eight points. Two days later, she had 31 points and 10 rebounds. An 11-point game late in the season was followed by 38 in the next. Stewart's low point for the playoffs was 13 in Game 2 against Atlanta in the first round – then she opened the semifinals against Las Vegas with 34 points.

At this point, a bounce back game is almost a calling card. Stewart may not reach 30 points in Game 5, but she will be much better. — cream

Who has the advantage in Game 5?

In a series like this, “who knows” might be the safest answer. Both teams can take a lot of positive things from Friday. Minnesota won even though Collier didn't have a great game. The Lynx will also have gained confidence in how to contain Stewart. Smith looked healthy after suffering a back injury in Game 3. That should make Reeve more confident in their rotations and backup minutes.

The Liberty can take solace in the fact that they almost stole one as Stewart played one of the worst games of her career. They also know that she is a counterattacker who often finds a way to recover. Jones also played with more confidence.

Momentum? Edge to Minnesota. Home court? Edge to New York. Flip a coin and hope Game 5 is as entertaining as the previous four. — cream

New York was supposed to be back on its home court, but given how the first four games of the series went, I don't think anything would surprise me at this point. — Philippou