MINNEAPOLIS — As the final seconds ticked down in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton battled for an offensive rebound and drew a foul.
Carleton then stepped to the free-throw line with the score tied at 80-all and 2.0 seconds to play. She calmly sank both free throws, and the Lynx held on for an 82-80 win over the visiting New York Liberty to stave off elimination and even the best-of-five series at two wins apiece.
The series will shift to New York for a winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday night.
“It’s the epitome of the year she’s had,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said of Carleton, the unlikely hero in a series stacked with stars. “She’s a hustle-play player. That was on display.”
The series’ latest nailbiter included 13 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither the Lynx nor the Liberty led by more than six points during the game, and the final score was decided by three or fewer points for the third time in the first four games of the series.
Both teams know one another’s tendencies after four regular-season games and four games in the Finals, Reeve said. Both teams know exactly how to take away easy buckets from their opponent.
“Everything’s getting harder,” Reeve said. “There’s no secrets at this point.”
There is no lack of confidence, either.
After the narrow loss, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello and forward Breanna Stewart both vowed to get the victory in Game 5.
“This is a really tough team,” Brondello said of the Lynx. “They play well. They compete. We’ve got one more game. We’re going to win on our home court.”
Stewart seemed to have moved on from the Game 4 loss moments after it happened.
“Short-term memory,” she said. “We’re going back to New York, and we’re going to get it done. We’re going to get it done there.”
Kayla McBride helped the Lynx get it done in front of another sellout crowd of 19,210 in Game 4. She scored 19 points to lead the team, including 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting in the first quarter.
Instead of feeling pressure in a possible elimination game, McBride said, the situation allowed her to focus and to savor the time that she knew she still had on the court.
“I just wanted to come out and enjoy the moment and be as aggressive as possible,” McBride said. “I just wanted to be out there with my teammates and give it everything I had.”
Courtney Williams added 15 points for Minnesota, and Napheesa Collier flirted with a double-double, collecting 14 points and nine rebounds.
Jonquel Jones scored 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds for New York. Leonie Fiebich scored 19 points, and Stewart finished with 11 points and 11 boards.
The score was even at 80 after Jones converted a three-point play with 1:10 remaining.
Williams missed a jump shot in the final seconds, but Carleton grabbed an offensive rebound and drew contact. She then put the Lynx on top by two from the free-throw line.
Sabrina Ionescu had a chance at a game-winning shot moments later, but she missed from 35 feet out to send the series to a decisive fifth game.
Minnesota held on to a 64-63 lead at the end of the third quarter.
New York went on an 11-0 run to transform a 55-50 deficit into a 61-55 edge with 4:07 remaining in the third. Stewart finished the run with a long jump shot from just inside the 3-point line.
Alanna Smith scored five of the next six points as the Lynx battled back to even the score at 61-all with 2:34 to go in the third. Carleton finished the quarter with a pair of free throws to give the Lynx a one-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Minnesota led 46-45 at halftime.
Brondello took exception to the officiating after the narrow loss. The Lynx attempted 20 free throws and made 15 of them, and the Liberty had only nine free-throw attempts and made them all.
“I’m one of the nicest bloody coaches in this league, but this (ticks) me off,” Brondello said. “Just be fair.”
Reeve called Brondello’s comments “unfortunate” but otherwise declined to go into detail.
One thing both teams could agree on is that the series is shaping up to be an all-time classic.
“The players deserve all the credit,” Reeve said, “for the show we’re being treated to.”
–Tom Musick, Field Level Media
