"Lynx Push WNBA Finals to Game 5 with Carleton's Clutch Free Throws in 82-80 Win Over Liberty".

 In a nail-biting Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, the Minnesota Lynx managed to keep their championship hopes alive with an 82-80 victory over the New York Liberty, forcing a decisive Game 5. Bridget Carleton’s clutch free throws with just two seconds remaining secured the win, setting up a thrilling finale on Sunday in New York. It will be the first Game 5 in the Finals since 2019, when the Washington Mystics triumphed over the Connecticut Sun.

With their season on the line, the Lynx showed resilience and determination, staying focused despite facing a strong New York team. Kayla McBride led Minnesota with 19 points, and Courtney Williams contributed 15, while the Lynx defense played a critical role in forcing poor shooting performances from Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Ionescu’s final shot at the buzzer fell short, sealing the win for Minnesota.

Reflecting on the upcoming decisive Game 5, McBride expressed her excitement, stating, "Last 40 minutes of the season, it could be anywhere, really, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to be out there together going to war, and I’m pumped." Napheesa Collier echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of execution in the winner-takes-all game: “It’s a Game 5 of the Finals. We have to go out and execute.”

Minnesota’s head coach Cheryl Reeve is no stranger to high-pressure games, having guided the Lynx through three straight Game 5s from 2015 to 2017, winning two of those championships. Despite her extensive experience, Reeve remains focused on the present challenge. “I don’t think about the other ones,” she said. “I feel very blessed in my career to have been a part of so many. I haven’t won them all… What I’m thrilled about is that this group gets to experience the Game 5.”

A Tight Battle from Start to Finish

Unlike the earlier games in the series, which saw one team build a commanding lead, Game 4 was a close contest from the opening tip. There were 14 lead changes and 13 ties, with neither team leading by more than six points at any moment. Both squads fought tooth and nail, knowing what was at stake.

Jonquel Jones was a standout for the Liberty, scoring 21 points and helping her team stay competitive throughout the game. After the loss, Jones acknowledged the intensity of the contest, saying, “It was going to be that type of game tonight where we are both trying to claw, and both teams are trying to figure out whatever to do to get over the hump.”

With the score tied at 80-all and just 18 seconds remaining, Courtney Williams tried to run down the clock for Minnesota, but her jumper missed. Carleton grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Ionescu, earning her trip to the free-throw line. The 27-year-old Canadian calmly sank both free throws, providing the final margin for victory. “She got the shot off and missed it perfectly for me,” Carleton said of Williams’ attempt. “We talked about it after. She wanted to get it high and off the rim.”

Carleton, confident in her ability, delivered when her team needed it most. “I was pretty confident. I’m a confident free-throw shooter,” she said, reflecting on the pressure-packed moment. Ionescu, who had hit a game-winning 28-foot shot in Game 3, was unable to replicate her heroics, missing her final attempt as time expired.

Stewart, who had been the Liberty’s top scorer in Game 3 with 30 points, struggled to find her rhythm in Game 4. She finished with 11 points on 5-of-20 shooting, while Ionescu managed only 10 points on 5-of-16 from the field. The Lynx defense, which had been a key factor in their earlier success in the series, once again came through when it mattered most.

History on the Line

With the victory, the Minnesota Lynx moved one step closer to securing a record fifth WNBA title, which would break their current tie with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm for the most championships in league history. The Lynx’s last title came in 2017, when they capped a dominant seven-year stretch that included four championships.

The Liberty, on the other hand, are chasing their first-ever WNBA title. The franchise, one of the original eight teams from the league’s inaugural season in 1997, has reached the Finals five times but has yet to capture the championship. New York also fell short in last year’s Finals, losing to the Las Vegas Aces in a series that concluded exactly one year before Friday night’s game.

For New York, the opportunity to play the deciding game in front of their home fans at Barclays Center could provide a significant boost. Stewart, speaking after the game, expressed her confidence in the Liberty’s ability to rebound in Game 5. “We wanted to get it done tonight,” she said. “But like [coach] Sandy [Brondello] said, our fans are like no other, and to be able to go into our environment on Sunday, knowing they have our backs, that’s just going to continue to motivate us.”

The Final Countdown

As both teams prepare for the final game of the 2024 WNBA season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Minnesota, a win would solidify their place as the most successful team in league history, while New York is hoping to finally break through and claim their first championship.

Both teams have shown their resilience and determination throughout the series, and Sunday’s Game 5 promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a hard-fought battle. Whether it’s the Lynx securing another championship or the Liberty celebrating their long-awaited triumph, the WNBA Finals will end with a moment of history-making excitement.

All eyes now turn to New York, where two of the league’s premier teams will leave everything on the court in pursuit of glory.