How to watch the decisive WNBA Finals Game 5 on Wednesday

After an exciting back-and-forth series, the 2017 WNBA champion will be determined Wednesday night when the Minnesota Lynx host the Los Angeles Sparks in a winner-take-all Game 5. The game will be featured on ESPN (live stream) at 8 p.m. ET.

A hungry Lynx team was able to rally enough momentum to force a Game 5 in front of a Los Angeles home crowd. The sense of urgency the Lynx brought to Game 4 allowed them to outrebound the Sparks by 20, including 16 on the offensive end that resulted in 21 second-chance points for Minnesota. As a result, the Lynx capitalized with a dominating 80-69 win over the Sparks, costing the Sparks the chance to win a championship in front of their home crowd.

Rebounding gave the Lynx the winning edge.

“The deciding factor in the game was the hunger and ferocity Minnesota showed on the boards. They owned a staggering 48-28 advantage in rebounds and ravaged the Sparks in second chance points, 21-5.”

The Sparks must take better shots in Game 5

“For the game, the Sparks went 5-of-22 from the three-point line, with Sims making four of those. Head coach Brian Agler was left scratching his head after the game when asked about the team’s poor shot selection.”

Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles set the tone of the game

“While the Lynx were up for the heavyweight bout — especially Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson, this game came down to character and heart.”

“Brunson, a true enforcer, set the tone early, being forceful, relentless and downright mean (and it was a good thing).”

Look out for Lindsay Whalen in Game 5

While she may have had a couple of abysmal performances in Games 3 and 4, it is almost impossible to believe Lindsay Whalen will finish this season without making a strong statement about her game. She went scoreless in Game 3 and scored only four points in Game 4. However, fans know the potential player Whalen can be when she locks in and lets her offense come to her.

However, the lack of numbers produced from Whalen was covered by the rest of Minnesota’s starting lineup, as the remaining four players scored in double figures on Sunday. The Sparks are going to have to find a way to contain the Lynx on offense, as just about anyone for the Lynx can get hot.

Many believe this series is almost identical to the WNBA Finals series in 2016; however, this year will have a different ending. The Lynx will build on their momentum from Sunday in front of a rowdy home crowd and change the storyline to become a four-time WNBA champion.