MINNEAPOLIS — Cheryl Reeve knows what the hours leading up to Sunday night will bring.

The Minnesota Lynx coach has appeared in five of the last seven Game 5s in the WNBA Finals. Each of her three assistants was also with her at at least one of those games.

What awaits her and her staff when the Lynx and New York Liberty play (at least) another 40 minutes to determine this year’s champion isn’t necessarily a surprise. An awkward, tightly contested affair seems all but guaranteed. Three of the four games in this series have been decided by one possession. The lone exception (Game 2) was a two-point game with 3 minutes, 40 seconds to play before New York’s lead ballooned to double digits.

Minnesota’s 82-80 Game 4 win Friday night was the closest game of the series from start to finish. It featured 13 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than 6 points. The reason?

“I’m going to say probably information gathered in the three games,” Reeve said. “Everything becomes more difficult. There are no secrets at this point.”

There are no mysteries, no tricks and no perplexities – just a thrilling series that will reach its deserved conclusion when the league’s top two teams tip off once again in Brooklyn at 8 p.m. In a historic season for the WNBA, more records look set to fall. The first three games of the series all achieved high TV viewership. Both arenas have set new WNBA attendance records, and great individual performances have abounded.

“The players deserve all the credit for the show we have been treated to,” Reeve said.

19,521 people. Almost sold out.
Largest attendance in Lynx franchise history.

Everyone watches women’s sports 💪 #WNBAFinales @WCCO pic.twitter.com/32ERUzKzty

— Marielle Mohs (@MarielleMohs) October 17, 2024

What will decide the first Game 5 of a WNBA Finals since 2019 remains an open question.

Maybe a star will bounce back. Look at Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu after both struggled in Game 4, missing nine of their first 10 shots. Or perhaps Lynx star Napheesa Collier will cap off a three-week stretch of scoring the most points in postseason history with another showcase performance to help Minnesota become the third straight team to win a title on the floor of an opponent.

New York and Minnesota shot the same percentage from 3-point range on Friday (39.1 percent), so Sunday’s winner could be as simple as which team gets it from deep.

Or will the official matter? Reeve used part of her Game 3 press conference to criticize the series’ referees. On Friday it was Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s turn to perform.

“I know Cheryl talked about it last time, but we didn’t get a call today,” Brondello said. “So should I say something at a press conference? Because they got the jitters. And we went there and got hit and got nothing. All we want is fair. If we get hit, it’s a foul. You know, I’m one of the nicest coaches in this league, but this pisses me off. Just be honest.”

The Liberty took 11 fewer free throws than the Lynx in Game 4, but they had still made eight free throws heading into Friday night. “I think Phee has some things that prove the fouls weren’t called,” Reeve said.

Will an unexpected X-factor emerge? Liberty wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was the difference in New York’s Game 2 win, and Leonie Fiebich played a pivotal role in Liberty’s playoff run. Lynx guard Bridget Carleton, described by Reeve as the “hustle-play player,” hit the winning pair of free throws and scored five of her 12 points in the final 3:30 of the game. And Minnesota reserves Ceci Zandalasini, Natisha Hiedeman and Dorka Juhász were as impressive in Game 4 as they have been in any series.

“They were ready,” Reeve said. “It was nice to have players who could sign up and stay there for an extended period of time.”

But only one statistic will matter on Sunday.

“One point more than the other team,” Ionescu said.

While disappointed that they didn’t wrap up the finale in Minneapolis, Brondello remained optimistic about New York’s chances as the series returns to Brooklyn for the final time. The Liberty have been working all season for what they have in front of them – a decisive game at home – and they know what to expect.

“It will definitely be another sellout, and it will definitely be loud. And we have to bring our ‘A’ game,” Brondello said. “We have one more game and we are going to win on our home field.”

Reeve said she is enjoying the Lynx’ final moments of the season together. “I think I’m just excited for this group to experience Game 5,” said Reeve, who is 3-2 in her previous Game 5 finals appearances. “It’s incomprehensible how we feel about this team, and we wanted so much so that in finals No. 1 and 2 they would put themselves in a position to win a championship.”

Only four quarters remain.

“It could be anywhere, really,” Lynx All-Star Kayla McBride said. “It doesn’t matter. We’re going to war together, and I’m excited.”

So back to the deciding factors. What will be the key?

“I wish I knew,” Reeve said. “I wouldn’t eat or sleep, or I would sleep really well if I knew the difference. They are two great teams. Who knows?”

(Photo by Courtney Williams: Choua Yang/NBAE via Getty Images)