Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Minnesota Lynx win Game 4 versus the New York Liberty, setting up the season finale

Courtney Williams blended the defense with her dribble. Napheesa Collier picked up four steals. And Bridget Carleton buried the two freebies that put the hosts over the edge. 

Early, Kayla McBride and Collier connected on four of five 3-pointers and each scored at close range. But the crew had four turnovers because of miscommunication, a poor pass, the Liberty’s up-close pressure, and a shove by McBride.

On the other side, Jonquel Jones splashed a triple plus made a post-up shot, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton tallied seven digits and the bench put up five points. But Breanna Stewart was contained to zero of seven baskets by being doubled and having her jumper contested promptly.

Defensively, Collier had two steals in the sequence- poking the ball loose from Stewart and intercepting Leonie Fiebich’s pass. Then the Lynx got sloppy, losing the ball three extra times, getting scored on quickly twice. Each turnover was a product of Stewart’s pass breakups and a strip.

For the Liberty offensively, Fiebich swished a corner tray, nailed a long pull-up two-pointer and dribbled past Williams from the post to the cup for a basket. Stewart produced two of four buckets. 

At halftime, the Lynx led 46-45. The crew had 12 paint points, nine on the break, two on extra tries, eight off turnovers and two from the bench. 

The Liberty accumulated 22 interior marks, eight in the open court, two via second chances, eight off turnovers and seven from the reserves.

Next, the hosts’ offense slowed down to 18 points. Alanna Smith was the leading supplier with two 3-pointers and a rim roll. The rest of the team converted two of 12 shots in the frame. Yet the defense prevented the visitors from taking control, picking up three steals and forcing two more giveaways. 

The Liberty matched the Lynx in third-quarter scoring and, at one point, scored 11 straight marks. Jones and Stewart combined for five baskets without misses. 

The fourth quarter began with Lynx up 64-63.

Subsequently and uncharacteristically, Stewart missed three practice shots and was held to 12.5% accuracy. And Jones scored one of four makes.  

 For the hosts, Cecilia Zandalasini provided two relief buckets. And McBride made a mid-range jumper and a left-wing triple to put the Lynx up by five points in crunch time.

But the Lynx went scoreless for over two minutes, and Jones plus Sabrina Ionescu tied the game at 80 digits. 

Williams tried to break the stalemate by dribbling left on Laney-Hamilton to the elbow for a jumper but missed. Then Ionescu was called for a loose ball foul as she attempted to box out Carleton’s offensive rebound.  

Carleton then made both freebies and on defense, locked and trailed Ionescu closely to prevent a clean shot off the catch with two seconds left.

The Lynx won 82-80. The squad had 26 paint points, 11 on the break, five on spare tries, 19 off turnovers and 10 from the bench.

McBride scored 19 points on six of 15 attempts with, two rebounds, four assists and three turnovers.

Williams had 15 points on 43.8% shooting, with four rebounds, seven dimes, one steal and two turnovers.

And Collier notched 14 points, making 40% of her shots, with nine rebounds, four dimes, four steals and three giveaways. 

The Liberty had 38 interior marks, 12 in the open court, four via second chances, 19 off turnovers and nine from the reserves.

Jones tallied 21 points on seven of 10 shots, with eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and three turnovers.

Fiebich totaled 19 points on 58.3% accuracy, with three rebounds, five assists, two steals and one turnover.

Stewart had 11 points on five of 21 looks, with 11 boards, four dimes, three steals, one block and two giveaways. 

And Ionescu had 10 points on five of 15 attempts, with six rebounds, five assists and four turnovers. 

McBride handled the on-court interview. She said, “The last game was heartbreaking, 48 hours ago. We wanted to come out and leave everything out here, and that’s all we had to do. Now we get to go play for everything, for all the marbles.”

At the postgame presser, coach Cheryl Reeve was asked about the difference in Game 5. She said, “I wish I knew. I’d either not sleep or sleep really good if I knew the difference. It’s two great teams. Who knows?

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