It’s fitting that a record-setting season for the WNBA would lead to a winner-take-all Game 5 in its Finals.
For the first time since 2019, the league championship will be decided in this final game. It will take place in New York on Sunday night. The Minnesota Lynx avoided elimination by defeating the New York Liberty 82-80 on Friday night, forcing the fifth game.
“I think that, you know, for our team, we bounce back after a loss really, really well, and making sure that everybody is on the same page going forward,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “In the playoffs, in a series, there’s going to be momentum shifts. There were momentum shifts in the game tonight. But mentally, understanding what’s our ultimate goal, how are things going right here.
“Like (coach) Sandy (Brondello) said in the locker room, we haven’t won anything yet; we haven’t lost anything yet. And we have the opportunity to do that Sunday.”
The first four games of the series have come down to the final possessions and included an overtime game and a last-second shot, resulting in record ratings. The first three games each had over a million viewers on average, with the audience increasing for each one. They also drew large crowds.
History will be at stake for both teams on Sunday. Minnesota is just one win away from a record fifth WNBA title, which would put them ahead of the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm.
The Liberty are aiming for their first title, having lost in the Finals five times. They were one of the original eight franchises when the league started in 1997 and are the only one from that group yet to win a championship.
Since the league changed to a best-of-five format in 2005, seven other series have gone to a fifth game. The home team has won five of those contests, including in 2019.
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was part of three straight Game 5s from 2015 to 2017 with the Lynx, winning two of them. She was also an assistant with Detroit when the Shock split two decisive games in 2006-2007.
“I don’t think about the other ones,” Reeve said. “I feel very blessed in my career to have a chance to be 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.”
New York had the best record in the regular season and earned the chance to host the final game on its home court.
“That’s what we said we worked for all season long. Minnesota did what they needed to do here to tie it up, and now we go back home. We love playing in front of our home crowd,” Brondello said. “So it will definitely be another sellout, and it will definitely be loud. And we have to bring our A game.
“I have a lot of respect for Minnesota, don’t get me wrong. This is a really tough team. They play well. They compete. So we’ve got one more game, and we’re going to win on our home court.”
