Liberty vs Lynx: Minnesota wins a thriller to force Game 5 of WNBA Finals

Liberty attempt to go to Ionescu again, but she also doesn't get a good look with two seconds on the board and the heave isn't close. SEE Y'ALL IN BROOKLYN.

Williams killed clock on the Lynx possession to take herself and attempts an iffy midrange jumper. Bridget Carleton attempts to tip it back in and Sabrina Ionescu is called for a foul. That is now the second time this series Ionescu has been called for a final on a last-seconds Lynx shot attempt.

Stewart brings down an offensive rebound, but can't get a bucket to go and commits a shot clock violation with an attempt wide. Minny takes a reset timeout, 18.3 seconds left and the game tied, 80

TIED AGAIN. They traded 3s back-and-forth. Jonquel Jones brings New York back with a three-point play (Collier's second foul) that prompted a Minnesota timeout. There's 1:10 left in Game 4. Minny's season on the line.

Oh by the way it's tied again. 72s

Collier told us the other day she and Stewart aren't talking through this Finals, which is a funny little anecdote as they review this play. Both ended up on the floor when Stewart reached in for the ball. And Stewart tried to get Collier T-ed up earlier in the seriTheir Unrivaled league is tipping off in January and both said they'd re-focus on it once their WNBA season is over in a few days.

Truly a game where every single possession matters. Liberty score a quick six to take the lead back, 72-70, and Reeve calls a timeout. Ionescu drove against Courtney Williams, Jonquel Jones blocked Kayla McBride on the other end and Fiebich put in a bucket completely alone in the paint as if it were pre-game warm-ups.

That is now 13 lead changes and 11 ties. The game hasn't deviated farther than six points.

Stewie was all alone on that drive to the basket and couldn't get the easy layup. There's a scrum for the ball and Stewie ends up on top of Dorka Juhasz. Stewie stretched out her shoulder afterward. And after Dorka scores, Ionescu misses another 3. Sums up the Liberty's night so far, though it's still a one-possession game. Lynx lead, 68-65, at 8:07.

These two teams are so evenly matched. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was the X-Factor in Game 2 despite not being 100% healthy after right knee surgery and a minor re-injury late in the season. Now it's Alanna Smith giving it all with a back issue and bringing the Lynx back into the lead.

Ionescu and Stewart are a combined 7-23 (0-6 from 3) for 14 points. And Stewart still has the four fouls.

Another tie game, 61-61. Alanna Smith scored on a layup, reeled in an offensive rebound that led to Stewart's fourth foul (she hit the bench) and a Collier free throw, then drilled a 3.

Jonquel Jones hits her fourth 3-pointer from the corner and puts Liberty on top, 59-55, at 5:02. She has a game-high 18 points with a quick nine in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Liberty look too urgent and rushed at times. They've had some bad turnovers picking up their dribble on the perimeter and desperately searching for a pass. Turnovers cost them in the first half of Game 3 and they can't afford it in this tight of a game.

Center Alanna Smith hits a 3 *handshake* Center Jonquel Jones hits a 3.

The first half we all deserve. The Lynx offense is balanced between McBride (14p, 4-5, 2-3 3s), Williams (13p, 6-10) and Collier (12p, 4-8, 2-3 3s). Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello thought the Lynx tenacious defense early in Game 3 might have tired them out. They've been solid this game, but not as frantic all over the court. That might be to their advantage in a long game they have to have.

New York's big 3 are quiet. Breanna Stewart (2-11) has to come alive in the second half and avoid fouling (three). Jones is shooting 100%, but could use more touches to open things up. Ionescu is 3-9.

Courtney Williams, whatta dog. Scores over Stewart and draws the foul for an and-1. Kayla McBride drives on the Lynx next possession and draws another quick foul on Stewart. Loudest the arena has been all night and everyone is on their feet. Minnesota leads, 47-43, in the final minute.

Stewart comes back in and scores off a cutting layup. She missed her first seven shots and is 2-10 (now 2-11 as of typing this).

Trading buckets at a quick pace here in the second quarter. Liberty lead, 37-34, at 5:52 (Min TO).

It's the first time this series a team has not taken a double-digit lead into the second quarter. There's been six lead changes and fiv. Minnesota led by as many as four and New York as many as three.

Kayla McBride has eight points shooting 75% overall and from 3. Napheesa Collier has eight points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jonquel Jones (7p, 3r, 1a) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (7p, 2r) lead for New York. It could finally be a big all-around game for Jones if Smith isn't at 100% and the Lynx focus on Stewart.

Alanna Smith looked stiff after attempting that reverse layup. She injured her back on contact with Jonquel Jones last game and Reeve said they're carrying on with her minutes as if it never happened. Smith insisted over the past day there was no way she wouldn't play in this game and the performance staff is helping her stay as loose as possible.

The Lynx mascot took over midcourt while the Liberty were trying to take their spots and appeared to stare off Leonie Fiebich?

They're expecting another 19K sell-out for the final Lynx game at Target Center this season. "Let's Go Lynx" T-shirts were draped on every seat to create another white-out and fans have black towels with Kayla McBride's likeness on them.

Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve said after Game 3 the Lynx played a good game, but didn't make enough shots. She didn't always like the shot selection from her team (38.7%).

"We had good shots. Didn't make shots, right?" Reeve said. "And that's what it comes down to. You know, Stewie was making shots. JJ, their big three. ... And obviously, you know, Sab's shot at the end. We talked about that players making plays. And, you know, unfortunately, we didn't make enough of them."

Immediately after winning Game 3, Liberty players said winning the closeout tonight would be the most difficult. They've approached it as this is it; there is no Sunday. Breanna Stewart said yesterday that they needed to play with a sense of urgency and avoid complacency.

"Game 1 was like a serious wake up call for all of us, and probably the best thing to have happened to us," Stewart said. "Because it's just like be up the ones we still lose. We were up 18, and we still lost. Things were in our control, and we didn't actually take advantage or make sure that we were dictating the entire time. Knowing how incredible this Final series is, how good Minny is, and continue to respect our opponents, but know that there's another level that we want to get to."

Greetings from Target Center in Minneapolis where everyone knows what's at stake here in Game 4. New York is 40 minutes from the Liberty franchise's first championship. It would also be the first for many on the roster, including 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu and 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones (who is in her fourth Finals). Minnesota wants to force a deciding Game 5 back in Brooklyn (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET). The Lynx are aiming for a record fifth WNBA title. There's institutional knowledge on the roster of being down 2-1 and forcing the decider. But there isn't much Finals experience from the players.