Minnesota Lynx beat New York Liberty to force Game 5 in 2024 WNBA Finals

In the WNBA Finals, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty 82-80 to force a deciding game five.

Bridget Carleton scored two of the game's winning free throws with two seconds remaining.

After winning at the Target Center, home of the Lynx, the best-of-five championship series was tied at two games each and will now play to a winner-take-all finale in New York on Sunday.

In a fierce battle that saw 14 lead changes and saw neither side lead by more than six points, Sabrina Ionescu who New York Game 3 missed a potentially game-winning three-pointer with seven-tenths of a second remaining.

Liberty star Breanna Stewart was restricted to 11 points and Ionescu to 10, while New York's Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 21 points and Leonie Fiebich scored 19.

The Lynx, who are attempting to win a record fifth championship, are led in scoring by Kayla McBride with 19 points, followed by Courtney Williams with 15, and Napheesa Collier with 14.

The Liberty, who have lost five straight championship series, will now be hoping that a trip back to New York can result in a maiden WNBA triumph.

The Liberty welcome the Lynx to New York for Game 5 on Sunday, October 20, 2024.