WNBA Finals Game 4 Live Blog
INDIANAPOLIS — Could this be the night a WNBA champion is crowned? The Minnesota Lynx sit one win away from the franchise’s third WNBA title (2011, 2013). They have a chance to close out a memorable 2015 season on the road against the Indiana Fever.
But don’t count out the Fever. Head coach Stephanie White’s squad has won four elimination games so far this postseason, and they are well aware of the urgency needed to force a fifth and decisive game.
Will Tamika Catchings rise to the occasion? How will Maya Moore follow up her virtuoso performance in Game 3? We’re just a few hours from finding out whether we’ll have a WNBA champion crowned tonight or if the WNBA season will have one final game Wednesday night.
Get ready. This should be fun.
Fever Top Lynx 75-69, Force Decisive Game 5
The Indiana Fever just will not go down without a fight. Indiana improved to 5-0 in elimination games this postseason with a 75-69 win over the Minnesota Lynx.
That third quarter run proved to be the vital period of the game, giving Indiana a lead it would not relinquish.
Shenise Johnson led the Fever with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Marissa Coleman scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
Maya Moore led the Lynx with 20 points and 7 rebounds. One of the big stories for the Lynx was Sylvia Fowles’ foul trouble.
Her absence really gave the Lynx the ability to ramp up its defensive pressure elsewhere. Now, the series heads back to Minneapolis, where both teams have won once already this series.
We’ll have to wait until Wednesday night to crown the 2015 WNBA champion. Be sure to tune in. It should be one for the ages.
Fever Open Up 12-Point Lead, Take 58-46 Lead Into Fourth Quarter
Minnesota stormed out of the gates in the second half and quickly took a 38-36 lead, which forced Stephanie White to call a timeout. But from there it was heavily Indiana.
Everybody was hitting shots for the Fever. Shenise Johnson hit a few layups, Marissa Coleman hit a couple of tough jumpers and Indiana scored on eight straight shots to open up a double-digit lead.
So it comes down to the fourth quarter. Can Maya Moore and the Lynx storm back? Will the Fever stay hot? We’ll know in 10 minutes of basketball.
Fever Lead 36-32 At Halftime
Lindsay Whalen has been far more aggressive offensively in Game 4 than she’s been at any point in the series and has 8 points. Maya Moore also has 8 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
But it’s the Fever that hold the advantage at halftime. Head coach Stephanie White’s squad got quality minutes off the bench from forward Natasha Howard, who has 7 points.
Tamika Catchings scored six points in the first half and pulled down four rebounds.
Indiana’s defense was a big story in the first half, as well as fouls. Sylvia Fowles has three, Shavonte Zellous has three, Briann January has two, as does Lindsay Whalen and Devereaux Peters.
We’re one half away from finding out if we’ll be crowning a WNBA champion tonight or getting set for a fifth and decisive game. Stay tuned to see how this plays out.
Lynx Lead 20-15 After One
Sylvia Fowles picked up two quick fouls, as did the Fever’s Briann January in the first quarter. Marissa Coleman scored seven in the first frame and Tamika Catchings added 6 points, including the Fever’s first two points off of a steal.
But the Lynx continued their hot shooting from Game 3 and hold a 20-15 advantage after one.
Fever, Lynx Take The Court For Game 4
The @IndianaFever are ready to take on the @minnesotalynx at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! #WNBAFinals https://t.co/wLTyckHSyV
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 12, 2015
Here come then minnesotalynx! Game 4 of the #WNBAFinals tips off at 8:30pm/et on ESPN https://t.co/fYZaXy514O
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 12, 2015
Fever Take The Court For Pregame Warmups
Maggie Lucas looks to help the @indianafever force a #WNBAFinals Game 5 tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN. #WatchMe https://t.co/PnhypTXYQV
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @IndianaFever's @Catchin24 ready to go for tonight's big #WNBAFinals Game 4 – 8:30pm/et on ESPN https://t.co/yEnjT8vmbV
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @minnesotalynx BIGs doing work pregame. #WNBAFinals Game 4 tips at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! https://t.co/iNZNyuTB21
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Marissa Coleman locked in for #WNBAFinals Game 4 tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN. https://t.co/wvEb3uteO4
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Maya Moore working on her handles before #WNBAFinals Game 4 tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! #WatchMe https://t.co/QBQBlL4CSZ
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @minnesotalynx's @MooreMaya getting ready for tonight's #WNBAFinals Game 4 at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! https://t.co/vGfaWx3vwj
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Big Syl has her game face on as the @minnesotalynx look to clinch the #WNBAFinals tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/KLoAeALkzd
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @minnesotalynx are locked in pregame before tonight's big #WNBAFinals Game 4 at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! https://t.co/q62gN4ysAw
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @IndianaFever's @MaggieLucas33 working on her handles before #WNBAFinals Game 4 – 8:30pm/et ESPN! #WatchMe https://t.co/fjaJ0eeSu5
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Briann January and the @indianafever looking to force a #WNBAFinals Game 5 tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! #W… https://t.co/w7KtfJeUqj
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Briann January and the @indianafever looking to force a #WNBAFinals Game 5 tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! #W… https://t.co/w7KtfJeUqj
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @minnesotalynx look to close out the #WNBAFinals tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN. #WatchMe pic.twitter.com/CSZdCp9jLy
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
Fever, Lynx Arrive For Pivotal Game 4
The @minnesotalynx arrive for Game 4 of the #WNBAFinals at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! https://t.co/x1qv4OurDK
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
The @IndianaFever have arrived! Game 4 at 8:30pm/et on ESPN #WNBAFinals https://t.co/oicv7wCk0M
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2015
This is a running live blog and will updated throughout the game