Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter

What a game.

The Minnesota Lynx bounced back in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday to top the Los Angeles Sparks 80-69, evening the series and forcing a Game 5 on Wednesday.

Here are our three observations from Sunday’s game at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles:

Dominant Play From Inside

Two of the biggest factors in the win for the Lynx came from inside the post, thanks to Sylvia Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson.

After combining for 21 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3 on Friday night, Fowles and Brunson exploded for 40 points and 27 rebounds in the Game 4 victory.

Fowles led the way with 22 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in 36-plus minutes. Brunson tallied 18 points and 13 rebounds in 34-plus minutes.

Along with Fowles and Brunson, Maya Moore had 15 points and eight rebounds, Seimone Augustus had 10 points and eight rebounds, Renee Montgomery had five points and three assists and Lindsay Whalen had four points and eight assists for Minnesota.

Hustle Plays Make The Difference

The Lynx were literally all over the floor in the Game 4 victory on Sunday in LA.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve praised her teams hustle and effort in the win, saying it was the difference maker in helping them force a Game 5.

The Lynx held a 21-5 advantage in second chance points in the game, which helped them extend their lead to as much as 19 points in the game.

Minnesota was also all over the boards in the game, out-rebounding Los Angeles 48-28. Of those 48 rebounds, 16 of them were offensive rebounds.

Elimination Game Brought The Best Out In Lynx

In a win-or-go-home game down 2-1 in the series, Game 4 brought the best out of Minnesota.

With their backs against the wall and on the verge of elimination, the Lynx fought back and put together arguably their best, most complete game of this Finals series so far.

Before Game 4 began, Seimone Augustus said she and her teammates would show a lot of heart in the game, adding that they have been in a situation where they had to fight back before.

That heart and fight showed in Sunday’s win in Los Angeles. And now, the Lynx hope that carries over into the winner-take-all Game 5 in Minnesota.

Game 5 between the Lynx and Sparks will be at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday back at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The game will be aired on ESPN, 106.1 BOB FM, TuneIn Radio and the Lynx App.