New Jersey

Unsung heroes help Lynx force Game 5

Seren Anwen October 19, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS — Let’s face it, this was the outcome we all wanted.

A series this monumental – heck, an entire season – deserves to go the distance, and that’s exactly what will happen after the Minnesota Lynx avoided elimination with an 82-80 win over the New York Liberty on Friday night.

It was a worthy performance from the Lynx. While Napheesa Collier is their best player, as a team they achieved a No. 2 seed and a spot in the finals. Everyone contributes. Everyone gives everything they have.

And no one ever gives up.

“This team has a unique ability to believe in themselves and each other from the beginning of the season through game four,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Collier was outstanding on Friday, having 14 points and nine boards, two shy of a double-double. But the Lynx also got monster plays from Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, who were definitely in their bag. A Birkin, you know, not one from Target.

Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton each had 12, meaning all of Minnesota’s starters finished in double figures.

“The ups and downs and all that, this group is just ready for it,” Reeve said. “It’s just something special.”

And it will have a fitting end, the first WNBA Finals since 2019 to last a full five games.

Here are the winners and losers of Game 4:

WINNER

Alanna Smith

What a brave performance.

Forty-eight hours after a very bad fall in Game 3, Smith battled severe lower back pain on Friday and finished the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, one block and two steals and assists. Her defensive contribution won’t show up in the statistics, but she once again showed strong performance, especially when she had to beat Jonquel Jones into form.

“Alanna has been in those positions for us all season,” Reeve said. “I appreciate her ability to pivot, stand up and do what her team asks of her. It’s important that she’s on the floor with us.”

Although Smith obviously struggled to run, she was able to play 30 minutes. Reeve said they didn’t put any minutes limits on her and approached the game as if Smith agreed with the understanding: “They would adjust if Alanna was on the bench too long, sitting too long,” Reeve said. “Otherwise we weren’t worried.”

Bridget Carleton

It felt fitting that one of the Lynx’s most unsung heroes got to score the game-winning throws. Carleton is, as Reeve likes to say, a “hustle play player.”

That was never more evident than with just a few seconds left, when Carleton flew into the paint trying to block Williams’ miss with four seconds left, and the game was tied at 80-80. Carleton got the ball in her hands and tipped it up, which resulted in a foul on Sabrina Ionescu and sent Carleton to the line where she had a chance to take the lead – which she got by knocking down both free throws, which Collier called it “the hardest hit in basketball.” Carleton finished the game with 12 points and numerous rushing plays, a performance that Reeve called “a epitome of the year she had.”

Spike Lee

New York’s No. 1 basketball fan will get the chance to watch his newly adopted team, the New York Liberty, compete for a championship at their home stadium, likely with Lee on the sidelines. What more could he ask for?

Your own bar

When the Lynx play at home, Reeve wears a special game day outfit: jeans, a blazer and some sort of graphic T-shirt.

During Game 4, Reeve wore a shirt from A Bar of Their Own, the Minneapolis bar that only shows women’s sports – great advertising for a young, local business.

“I don’t know anything about these guys,” Reeve said, pointing to Collier and McBride, “but when I’m out there, everyone talks about (us). Everyone’s talking to me about it: “I came to this bar and this is a bar that wouldn’t have had a women’s game five years ago.” All the TVs have the game on and the volume is on and the place is going crazy. ‘

“Of course I appreciate the opportunity that A Bar of Their Own offers women by putting them at the center. … Obviously the (Timberwolves) energized the city in their playoff run and I’m excited to see that same energy for this team because they deserve it.”

LOSER

Players in foul trouble

It’s never fun when superstars end up on the bench in foul trouble, and that was Breanna Stewart on Friday night.

The Liberty’s best player didn’t let up all night – she said Minnesota did a good job pushing her offensively – and finished the game with 11 points on just 5 of 21 shooting. She was also plagued by foul trouble for most of the evening and whistled for four personals.

Sandy Brondello’s wallet

The New York Liberty coach was hot about the office, dropping an F-bomb and using the word “bloody” twice. Considering how even-tempered Brondello usually is, this was her version of a punch-the-wall-break-down-the-door rampage.

“We didn’t get any calls today. Do I have to speak in a press conference?” Brondello said, referring to Reeves’ complaints after Game 3 that the officials favored Stewart.

“They got in trouble and we went there and got hit and got nothing,” Brondello said. “All we want is fair. If we get hit, it’s a foul. I’m one of the nicest coaches in the league, but this makes me angry. Just be fair. If they get hit, it’s a damn foul.”

For what it’s worth: Minnesota was warned for nine fouls, while the Liberty were whistled for 14, including four against Stewart.

Oh yes, apparently the officials also missed a timeout in the last minute.

Brondello said she wanted a timeout on the Liberty’s second-to-last possession – that’s when the F-bomb came into play – but didn’t get it because the officials couldn’t hear her. Stewart was eventually whistled for a shot clock violation, the Lynx gained possession and Carleton was fouled under the basket. She did both and secured victory.

“You didn’t hear me. So that’s on me,” Brondello said of the time off. “Maybe next time I’ll have to sprint onto the pitch.”

Drama seekers

For a hot minute, it looked like there was a major UConn drama brewing, the cause of which was Geno Auriemma.

After the game, Collier was asked about a text message Stewart allegedly received from her old coach telling her to lose 50 to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 4. That would be problematic because Collier, the Lynx’s star player, also played for UConn.

With Stewart no less. On a team that won a national title.

“Looks like he wants them to win. He doesn’t text me,” Collier said. “Looks like I have to text him about a few things now.”

Indeed, considering she had 14 points, nine rebounds, four steals and four assists in the Lynx’s 82-80 win, forcing a Game 5.

“Wow, Husky drama,” said Lynx teammate McBride, who played at Notre Dame. “Go Irish!”

Unfortunately it wasn’t true. There was no text message to Stewart, no party choice.

I assume that the annual meeting can take place as planned.

Yiamastaverna

Yiamastaverna

Unsung heroes help Lynx force Game 5