MINNEAPOLIS — Cheryl Reeve is aware of what the hours main as much as Sunday night time will convey.
The Minnesota Lynx coach has participated in 5 of the final seven Recreation 5s within the WNBA Finals. Every of her three assistants was along with her for at the very least a kind of contests, too.
What’s forward of her and her employees when the Lynx and New York Liberty play (at the very least) 40 extra minutes to determine this yr’s champion isn’t essentially a shock. A grinding, tightly contested affair appears all however assured. Three of the 4 video games on this sequence have been determined by one possession. The lone exception (Recreation 2) was a 2-point sport with 3 minutes and 40 seconds to play earlier than New York’s lead ballooned to double digits.
Minnesota’s 82-80 Recreation 4 win Friday night time was the sequence’ closest sport from begin to end. It featured 13 ties and 14 lead adjustments. Neither crew led by greater than 6 factors. The explanation?
“I’m going to say in all probability info gathered within the three video games,” Reeve mentioned. “Every thing is getting more durable. There’s no secrets and techniques at this level.”
There are not any mysteries, no tips and no stunners — solely an exhilarating sequence that may attain its deserved conclusion when the league’s high two groups tip off yet one more time at 8 p.m. in Brooklyn. In a historic season for the WNBA, extra data appear certain to fall. The sequence’ first three video games all hit TV viewership highs. Each arenas set new WNBA attendance data, and stellar particular person performances have been aplenty.
“The gamers deserve all of the credit score for the present that we’re being handled to,” Reeve mentioned.
19,521 individuals. Close to sellout.
Largest attendance in Lynx franchise historical past.Everybody Watches Womens Sports activities 💪 #WNBAFinals @WCCO pic.twitter.com/32ERUzKzty
— Marielle Mohs (@MarielleMohs) October 17, 2024
What is going to determine the primary Recreation 5 of a WNBA Finals since 2019 stays an open query.
Maybe a star will bounce again. Look to the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu after each struggled in Recreation 4, lacking 9 of their first 10 photographs. Or perhaps Lynx star Napheesa Collier will cap a three-week span wherein she has scored probably the most factors in postseason historical past with yet one more showcase efficiency to assist Minnesota change into the third straight crew to win a title on an opponent’s flooring.
New York and Minnesota shot the identical proportion from 3-point vary Friday (39.1 p.c), so Sunday’s victor might be so simple as which crew will get sizzling from deep.
Or will the officiating matter? Reeve used a part of her Recreation 3 press convention to critique the sequence’ refereeing. Friday was Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s flip to pipe up.
“I do know Cheryl talked about it final time, however we acquired no calls as we speak,” Brondello mentioned. “So do I would like to speak up in a press convention? As a result of they have been getting ticky-tacks. And we went down there and acquired hit and get nothing. All we wish is honest. If we’re getting hit, that’s a foul. You already know, I’m one of many nicest bloody coaches on this league, however this pisses me off. Simply be honest.”
The Liberty took 11 fewer free throws than the Lynx in Recreation 4, however they’d taken eight extra free throws heading into Friday night time. “I believe Phee has some issues to show that the fouls weren’t known as,” Reeve mentioned.
Will an surprising X-factor emerge? Liberty wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was the distinction in New York’s Recreation 2 victory, and Leonie Fiebich has been central to the Liberty’s playoff run. Lynx guard Bridget Carleton, described by Reeve because the “hustle-play participant,” hit the game-winning pair of free throws and scored 5 of her 12 factors over the ultimate 3:30 of the competition. And Minnesota reserves Ceci Zandalasini, Natisha Hiedeman and Dorka Juhász have been as impactful in Recreation 4 as they’ve been all sequence.
“They have been prepared,” Reeve mentioned. “It was good to have the ability to have gamers in a position to sub in and keep on the market for prolonged time.”
However Sunday just one stat will matter.
“Yet one more (level) than the opposite crew,” Ionescu mentioned.
Although upset they didn’t shut out the finals in Minneapolis, Brondello remained optimistic of New York’s probabilities because the sequence flips a remaining time again to Brooklyn. The Liberty labored all season for what it has in entrance of them — a deciding sport at dwelling — and she or he is aware of what to anticipate.
“It would undoubtedly be one other sellout, and it’ll undoubtedly be loud. And we now have to convey our ‘A’ sport,” Brondello mentioned. “We’ve acquired yet one more sport, and we’re going to win on our dwelling court docket.”
Reeve mentioned she’s relishing the Lynx’s remaining moments of the season collectively. “I believe that what I’m simply thrilled about is that this group will get to expertise the Recreation 5,” mentioned Reeve, who’s 3-2 in her prior finals Recreation 5 appearances. “It’s past phrases how we really feel about this crew, and we simply so wished them to be within the finals, No. 1, and two, put themselves able to win a championship.”
Simply 4 quarters stay.
“It might be anyplace, actually,” Lynx All-Star Kayla McBride mentioned. “It doesn’t matter. We’re going to be on the market collectively going to battle, and I’m pumped.”
So again to the deciding elements. What would be the key?
“Want I knew,” Reeve mentioned. “I’d both not eat or stay awake, or I’d sleep actually good if I knew the distinction. It’s two nice groups. Who is aware of?”
(Photograph of Courtney Williams: Choua Yang / NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)
