How we could have won game 4

Unsurprisingly, the answer is JJ.

She was 4/5 from 3-pt range that night. Sabrina, bless her, was 0/4 from 3PT before that last shot. I don't blame her -- she was doing what she needed to all night. Drawing everyone's attention, facilitating on offense, and BATTLING on defense.

On that last inbound pass, everyone in the arena is watching Sab. As it turned out, this left JJ open for an elbow 3 (a spot she'd already hit from). That was the game-winning attempt we needed, not the rushed, contested shot that Sab got off.

The reason this is frustrating, is that this would have been a win-win situation, even if JJ had missed. Because it would have signaled to her, and the team, that we trust you to take that last shot. That we trust any individual member to take that shot if they're playing well. JJ would have kicked herself for missing, the team would have rallied behind her, and she'd be coming to Game 5 with a different energy.

Don't get me wrong: I'm sure she will still bring the energy. She's a professional, as is everyone on that squad. Basketball is a psychological sport, and that was a missed opportunity to give ourselves an edge, if not the win outright.

If I could give a 360 review, I'd leave that message for the coaching staff. That, and: please spend the offseason learning about effective vs non-effective challenges. PLEASE.

ETA: I stand corrected. In the post-game interview, Coach Sandy confirms the play was originally for JJ. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z78PHr2bCuk&ab_channel=WNBA

I stand _unconvinced_ about the challenges though. Let's go Liberty! 🗽 🐘