WNBA Finals results, updates

The New York Liberty have reached the WNBA Finals five times in their franchise history, but came away empty-handed each time. Now the Liberty are just one win away from their first-ever WNBA championship.

But New York isn't dreaming of a championship parade yet.

“The work isn’t done,” Breanna Stewart said after her double-double performance (30 points, 11 rebounds) in the Liberty’s thrilling Game 3 win over the Minnesota Lynx. “We know we are just one game away from winning the championship and I think they will give it their best shot. They’re going to give it everything they’ve got, and guess what, so will we.”

That’s exactly the plan for Minnesota. “It's win or go home at this point,” said the Lynx's Napheesa Collier, who now has the most points in a single postseason (249) after surpassing Dianna Taurasi's 2009 postseason performance (245) on Wednesday had. “We have to come in with the mindset that we’re going to be just as aggressive.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports for live Game 4 updates and highlights:

The teams were evenly matched in the first frame, capped off by a jump shot from Leonie Fiebich with 23 seconds left. Kayla McBride had made two of three free throws to give the Lynx a 23-21 lead with 35 seconds left in the quarter.

I have long thought that Jonquel Jones was THE key to a Liberty championship. Stewie will remain Stewie and Sabrina will create for others and herself. But virtually no one in the league has an answer for Jones, whose size and inside length cause problems for opponents on both ends of the court and whose soft touch extends all the way to the 3-point line (which seems kind of unfair, to be honest). ). Jones has already scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds in eight minutes. If they have a big game, the Liberty will likely go home as champions tonight. — Lindsay Quick

After scoring 30 points in Game 3, Breanna Stewart got off to a rough start in Game 4. She opened the contest 0 of 7 from the field and 0 of 3 from three.

Ellie the Elephant (Liberty) and Prowl (Lynx) exchanged words on Twitter ahead of Game 4 this evening.

Reporter Lindsay Schnell on Lynx forward Alanna Smith:

Courtney Williams puts Minnesota first with a pull-up jumper for a 2-0 lead. Williams was also credited with an assist to Napheesa Collier, who scored on a layup to give her team a 4-0 lead.

When is Game 4 of the WNBA Finals?

Game 4 of the WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx takes place on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time) at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

How to watch Game 4 of the WNBA Finals

Game 4 will be broadcast on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter).

Will there be a live stream of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals?

The game can also be live streamed on ESPN+ or the ESPN app in addition to Fubo, which offers a free trial.

According to BetMGM odds, the New York Liberty are the favorites to defeat the Minnesota Lynx in Friday's WNBA Finals match. Would you like to bet? Check out the top betting apps in 2024 that offer the best betting promotions and bonuses in 2024.

Spread: Freedom (-2.5)
Money line: Freedom (-150); Lynx (+125)
Over/Under: 158.5

*Thursday evening odds

The New York Liberty take their 32-8 season to Minnesota to face the four-time champion Lynx. A title this season would be the Liberty's first championship.

Best of 5; Always east

Game 1: Thursday, October 10, Minnesota Lynx 95, New York Liberty 93
Game 2: Sunday, October 13th, New York Liberty 80, Minnesota Lynx 66
Game 3: Wednesday, October 16, New York Liberty 80, Minnesota Lynx 77
Game 4: Friday, October 18, New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 5: Sunday, October 20: Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty, 8 p.m. (if required) (ESPN)

Always east

Sunday, September 29th

Game 1: New York 87, Las Vegas 77, Liberty leads the series 1-0
Game 1: Connecticut 73, Minnesota 70, Sun leads the series 1-0

Tuesday, October 1st

Game 2: New York 88, Las Vegas 84, Liberty leads the series 2-0
Game 2: Minnesota 77, Connecticut 70, The series was tied 1-1

Friday, October 4th

Game 3: Minnesota 90, Connecticut 81, Lynx leads the series 2-1
Game 3: New York 81, Las Vegas 95, Liberty leads Series 21

Sunday, October 6th

Game 4: New York 76, Las Vegas 62, Liberty wins the series 3-1
Game 4: Connecticut 92, Minnesota 82, The series was tied 2-2

Tuesday, October 8th

Game 5: Minnesota 88, Connecticut 77 Lynx wins series

The 2024 WNBA Finals series will be broadcast on ABC or ESPN, depending on the game. Streaming options for the series are available on Fubo, Sling and WNBA League Pass.

Breanna Stewart
Sabrina Ionescu
Jonquel Jones
Betnijah Laney
Leonie Fiebich

Napheesa Collier
Kayla McBride
Alanna Smith
Bridget Carleton
Courtney Williams

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league's championship series will move from a best-of-five matchup to a best-of-seven game series in 2025.

WNBA Finals Ratings

ESPN PR announced that the New York Liberty's 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 was the most-watched WNBA Finals game on cable television with 1.4 million viewers. Viewership peaked at 2 million viewers, up +112% compared to Game 3 of the 2023 Finals on ABC.

The league announced its All-WNBA first and second teams on Wednesday.

First team

Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
A'Ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

Second team:

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

MINNEAPOLIS – After Sabrina Ionescu's game-winning shot Wednesday night in Minneapolis, social media went crazy and other players and athletes reacted to the deep 3rd.

The funniest reaction may have come from Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, who asked in apparent disbelief, “Is that what Sandy (Brondello) came up with?!”

As it turns out, no.

“When it happened, first of all, the game wasn't right, it was NOT planned that way,” New York forward Breanna Stewart said with a laugh. “When it started, I wanted to chest-thump Sab, but then I asked myself: Did they call a timeout? There's only a second left, we have to stay focused! Hearing an arena go so quiet is incredible.”

As she watched the recording – which she did “as many times as it popped up on my phone” on Wednesday night – Stewart said she was struck by how many different reactions she could see. She was also reminded of how impressive it was that Ionescu hit the shot, considering it came from a (somewhat) flawed game.

“Well, they fouled out (with 10 seconds left), so we had to switch sides, and when you have to switch sides, it gets a little complicated,” Stewart said, laughing again.

Ionescu's background didn't surprise her either.

“A step back to the left is a real opportunity for Sab,” she said. — Lindsay Quick

MINNEAPOLIS – A key factor in Game 4 tonight: Alanna Smith.

The second-team all-defense forward from Minnesota did a great job guarding New York's Jonquel Jones, even though Jones weighs 32 pounds and two inches more. Jones is one of the Liberty's best players and is part of the Big 3, which includes All-Stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.

But during Game 3, Smith fell hard into the paint as Jones was setting her up, and Smith landed right on her back. She stood up, clutching her lower back, and walked cautiously while the media was on hand Thursday.

Smith told reporters she was ready for Game 4. She didn't plan on getting any kind of injection – which is common for athletes trying to get through a season while battling injuries – and said she would just concentrate during your early warm-up. She has been alternating ice and heat since the end of Game 3.

She joked during Friday's shootaround that because it was important to stay warm, she might have to persuade coach Cheryl Reeve to keep her on the floor even if she got into foul trouble early, which was the case in Game 3. Sitting on the bench for a long time could make her stiffen.

“I'm not sure she'll do it (keep me grounded), but I might try!” Smith said with a laugh. — Lindsay Quick

Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty arrive before Game 4 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Stewart's 30-point performance on Wednesday was the most for the Liberty in the WNBA Finals.

Napheesa Collier and the Lynx also traveled to tonight's game and have a chance to defend home court and extend the series.

ESPN analysts share Game 4 predictions

ESPN's Andraya Carter and Carolyn Peck share their thoughts before Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.

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WNBA Finals results, updates

ByVanessa

When is Game 4 of the WNBA Finals?

How to watch Game 4 of the WNBA Finals

Will there be a live stream of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals?

WNBA Finals Ratings

ESPN analysts share Game 4 predictions

By Vanessa

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