This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Lynx never trailed again and pulled away in the final minute for an 86-80 win, their sixth in a row and third over the Liberty this season. Now 28-5, the Lynx have opened up a seven-game lead in the race for the No. 1 overall seed, which comes with homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

Lynx fans at Target Center were buzzing with excitement Friday night after Minnesota’s win over the New York Liberty, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5. Oct 18, 2024

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

But the travel-weary and shorthanded Liberty’s 86-80 loss to the Lynx on Saturday was a frustrating end to the best game New York has played since Breanna Stewart went down with an injury July 26.

Minnesota made big strides in the offseason, going from 19-21 last season to 30-10 this year. The Lynx are led by WNBA MVP runner-up and Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier.

Courtney Williams scored a season-high 26 points, Kayla McBride hit a deep 3-pointer with 30.8 seconds left and the Minnesota Lynx beat the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty 86-80.

The Liberty and Lynx played another classic. Unfortunately for New York, Minnesota proved to be a bit too much.