The Minnesota Lynx managed to secure a crucial Game 4 victory over the New York Liberty with a close score of 82-80, tying the WNBA Finals series at two games each. This outcome sets the stage for an exciting Game 5 showdown on Sunday.
During the game, Lynx forward Bridget Carleton made a critical play by sinking two free throws after being fouled while attempting a putback shot over Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu. This ultimately led to Minnesota taking the lead and securing the win.
However, after the game, New York head coach Sandy Brondello expressed her frustration with the officiating, particularly highlighting the foul disparity between the two teams. Minnesota was awarded 20 free throws, while New York only received nine. The Liberty also received more fouls called against them compared to the Lynx.
Brondello criticized what she perceived as “ticky-tack” fouls being called against her team and emphasized the importance of fairness in officiating. She made it clear that she expects the officials to call fouls when players are genuinely being hit, highlighting the need for consistency and impartiality.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve had also raised concerns about the officiating in Game 3, suggesting that the Liberty may have been favored due to the presence of two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart on their team. Reeve mentioned that she had not received a response from the league regarding her complaints from the previous game.
In terms of individual performances, Kayla McBride stood out for Minnesota with 19 points, supported by strong showings from other Lynx starters like Carleton, Alanna Smith, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier, who all contributed double-digit points. On the other side, Jonquel Jones led the scoring for New York with 21 points, followed by Stewart with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Looking ahead, Game 5 is set to take place on Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET, promising another intense and closely contested matchup between the Lynx and the Liberty. Fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the WNBA Finals series as both teams battle it out for the championship title.