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What to expect in Game 5 of the unpredictable WNBA Finals between the Liberty and Lynx

What to expect in Game 5 of the unpredictable WNBA Finals between the Liberty and Lynx

MINNEAPOLIS — Cheryl Reeve knows what the hours leading up to Sunday evening will bring.

The Minnesota Lynx coach has attended five of the last seven Game 5s of the WNBA Finals. Each of her three assistants also took part in at least one of these competitions.

What lies ahead for them and their staff when the Lynx and New York Liberty play another 40 minutes (at least) to determine this year’s champion isn’t necessarily a surprise. A hard-fought affair seems all but guaranteed. Three of the four games in this series were decided by one possession. The only exception (Game 2) was a 2-point game with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left before New York’s lead grew to double digits.

Minnesota’s 82-80 win in Game 4 on Friday night was the closest game of the series from start to finish. There were 13 draws and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than 6 points. The reason?

“My assumption is that it’s probably information gathered over the three games,” Reeve said. “Everything is getting more difficult. There are no secrets at this point.”

There are no secrets, no tricks and no surprises – just an exciting series that reaches its deserved conclusion when the league’s two best teams square off again in Brooklyn at 8 p.m. More records appear to be falling in a historic WNBA season. The first three games of the series all achieved TV viewership peaks. Both arenas set new WNBA attendance records and there were plenty of outstanding individual performances.

“The players deserve full credit for the show we put on,” said Reeve.

What will decide the first Game 5 of a WNBA Finals since 2019 remains an open question.

Maybe a star will recover. Check out the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu after both struggled in Game 4, missing nine of their first 10 shots. Or perhaps Lynx star Napheesa Collier caps a three-week stretch in which she scored the most points in postseason history with another standout performance that helps Minnesota become the third straight team to be on the floor of one opponent wins a title.

New York and Minnesota had the same shooting percentage from 3-point range (39.1 percent) on Friday, so the winner on Sunday could be as easy as the team scoring from deep.

Or will office play a role? Reeve used part of her Game 3 press conference to criticize the series’ refereeing. On Friday, it was Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s turn to speak out.

“I know Cheryl talked about this last time, but we haven’t received any calls today,” Brondello said. “So do I have to speak in a press conference? Because they got nervous. And we went there, got hit and got nothing. All we want is fair. If we get hit, it’s a foul. You know, I’m one of the nicest coaches in this league, but this makes me angry. Just be fair.”

The Liberty made 11 fewer free throws than the Lynx in Game 4, but had made eight more free throws before Friday night. “I think Phee has a lot to prove about the fouls not being called,” Reeve said.

Will an unexpected X-factor arise? Liberty winger Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was crucial to New York’s Game 2 win, and Leonie Fiebich played a pivotal role in the Liberty’s playoff run. Lynx guard Bridget Carleton, described by Reeve as a “hustle-play player,” hit the game-winning two free throws and scored five of her 12 points in the final 3:30 minutes of the contest. And Minnesota reserves Ceci Zandalasini, Natisha Hiedeman and Dorka Juhász were as effective in Game 4 as they were in any other game of the series.

“They were ready,” Reeve said. “It was nice to have players who could come on and stay out for long periods of time.”

But only one statistic will matter on Sunday.

“One point more than the other team,” said Ionescu.

Although they were disappointed that they didn’t complete the finale in Minneapolis, Brondello remained optimistic about New York’s chances as the series returns to Brooklyn one final time. The Liberty have worked all season for what they have ahead of them – a crucial home game – and they know what to expect.

“It will definitely be another sellout, and it will definitely be loud. And we have to do our best,” Brondello said. “We still have one game left and we will win on our home court.”

Reeve said she is enjoying the final moments of the Lynx season together. “I think what just excites me is that this group gets to experience Game 5,” said Reeve, who is 3-2 in their previous Game 5 Finals appearances. “It’s indescribable what we think of this team and we just wanted them to be Nos. 1 and 2 in the finals and put themselves in a position to win a championship.”

There are only four quarters left.

“It could be anywhere, really,” Lynx All-Star Kayla McBride said. “That doesn’t matter. We’re going to go to war together out there and I’m excited.”

So back to the crucial factors. What will be the key?

“I wish I knew,” Reeve said. “I would either not eat or not sleep, or I would sleep really well if I knew the difference. They are two great teams. Who knows?”

(Photo by Courtney Williams: Choua Yang/NBAE via Getty Images)