After an emotional, anger-filled Game 3 on Friday night that was flooded with technicals and injuries, the Minnesota Lynx were faced with a win-or-go-home situation in Game 4 on Sunday in the same location as two nights prior where they came up short.
This time, however, Minnesota would be without star Napheesa Collier, who was in a walking boot and on a scooter on the bench after suffering an ankle injury in Game 3, and head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended by the WNBA for her actions and comments during and after Game 3.
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With those key absences to two of the most important people on the team, the Lynx didn’t worry about what they didn’t have, but rather what they did have for Game 4 in an elimination game. Despite putting it all out there, the Lynx didn’t have enough to steal a game on the road.
Phoenix would end up taking Game 4 86-81, claiming the series 3-1 and advancing to the WNBA Finals while ending Minnesota’s season.
Motivational Start
From the opening tip-off, Minnesota came out of the gates firing and with a noticeable fire that resulted in an early advantage to take the Phoenix crowd out of things early.
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After a 12-1 run to open up the game, the Lynx carried a 25-14 advantage after one quarter, led by Jessica Shepard who led the way in her first career playoff start with Collier out. Shepard led Minnesota in the opening frame with 10 points, going on to finish the first half with 12 points and five boards to go along with bringing the physicality defensively that the Lynx have needed all series.
Alongside Shepard, Kayla McBride was leaving it all out there in the first half, noting on the ESPN broadcast that “we need everybody” in the win-or-go-home game. McBride, who finished the first half with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists, was playing with a head of steam on both ends of the floor for Minnesota.
As expected, though, Phoenix fought back in the second quarter, erasing a once 14-point Minnesota lead to even the game at 38-38 going into halftime.
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McBride Takes Over
McBride had a strong first half, but out of halftime, the veteran guard caught fire and absolutely took the game over.
Right out of the gate in the second half, McBuckets made her presence felt and went on to connect on four threes in the third quarter alone to fuel a 30-17 Lynx advantage over the Mercury in the third frame and help Minnesota stretch its leads back to 13 points.
When her team needed her to step up most, McBride did so. She was visibly gassed at points in the game, and left it all out there to try and bring a Game 5 back to Target Center. By the end of the contest, McBride finished with a playoff career high 31 points with six threes.
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Fourth Quarter Collapse
As has been a common theme for Minnesota throughout the semifinals, it gave up its 13-point lead it entered the fourth quarter with and let Phoenix take things over late.
The Mercury went red-hot in the fourth quarter and the Lynx looked to be out of gas, resulting in Phoenix battling back to outscore Minnesota 31-13 in the final 10 minutes to take the game over and hold the Lynx off late.
Despite McBride doing all she could down the stretch to keep Minnesota’s hopes alive, that effort ultimately came up short to end the Lynx’s season.
No Collier or Reeve
Before Sunday’s contest, Minnesota found out it would be without two of its most important pieces: Napheesa Collier and Cheryl Reeve.
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On Saturday, the Lynx announced that Collier was ruled out of the game with a left ankle injury that was suffered late in the fourth quarter of Game 3 (you’ve seen the play by now). The good news is, reports have stated that there is no sign of a fracture in Collier’s ankle as Reeve hinted at after Game 3.
Hours earlier, the WNBA announced it was not only fining Reeve for her actions during and comments following Game 3, but suspending her for Game 4 while serving a one-game suspension.
Phoenix Advances
With a win in Game 4, Phoenix not only ended Minnesota’s season but is the first team to punch a ticket to the WNBA Finals.
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The Mercury will now face the winner of Las Vegas and Indiana, who will have a winner-take-all Game 5 on Tuesday to see who will take on Phoenix in the best-of-seven championship series beginning Oct. 3.
