How the Lynx won Game 4, forced WNBA Finals to winner-take-all - ESPN

Of course it's going to five.

The 2024 WNBA Finals have been a roller coaster full of close finishes and big-time plays. So it's only fitting that one of the most thrilling championship series in recent memory will go the distance. The Minnesota Lynx's 82-80 Game 4 victory Friday against the New York Liberty ensured a winner-take-all showdown Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Barclays Center.

Unlike the historic comebacks that defined Games 1 and 3, Game 4 was a back-and-forth affair, with 14 lead changes and 13 ties. No team led by more than six points.

New York had an opportunity to take the lead in the final minute but missed three shots in one possession, which ended on a shot clock violation. It seemed like a second overtime game of this Finals was imminent, but Bridget Carleton drew a foul with 2.0 seconds left after getting an offensive rebound on a Courtney Williams missed shot. The Lynx forward hit both free throws to put Minnesota ahead for good and send the series back to New York.

ESPN breaks down how the Lynx evened the series and what to expect in what should be an iconic end to the Finals on Sunday.

WNBA Finals Game 4s in a New York uniform haven't been kind to Stewart. After she shot 3-for-17 from the field a year ago when the Las Vegas Aces clinched the title, Stewart's night Friday was nearly as tough. She scored 11 points on 5-for-21 shooting (and missed all four 3-point attempts) — one game after Stewart was the dominant force Wednesday with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota's defense is the biggest reason there will be a Game 5. The Lynx sent more defenders at Stewart earlier in possessions Friday. Whenever she caught the ball inside the 3-point line, Stewart had to contend with two defenders, one to