What more could WNBA fans have asked for?
This matchup between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx has been one of the greatest in the W's history.
And we haven't even played the fifth game yet.
Which players will step up or fall short in a WNBA Finals-deciding Game 5?
Let's break down my favorite WNBA player prop picks below, including a pick for both Napheesa Collier and Sabrina Ionescu.
WNBA Player Prop Picks for Lynx vs Liberty Game 5
Napheesa Collier Over 9.5 Rebounds (+110, FanDuel)
If Minnesota wants any chance at winning Game 5 and securing its fifth championship since 2011, rebounding will have to be a strength.
And all season, the Lynx have struggled in that facet of the game, particularly on the defensive glass, where they rank 11th (out of 12 teams) in defensive rebounding percentage.
Unsurprisingly, Collier, one of the best players in the W, is the Lynx's best rebounder and averaging just shy of 10 rebounds per game this season.
However, Collier has been held to single-digit boards in each of the first four games of the WNBA Finals, a stat that can primarily be attributed to the Liberty's dominance on the offensive glass.
In fact, New York ranked first in rebounding percentage this season and is averaging more than 11 offensive rebounds per game in this series.
Expect a much more concerted effort from Collier on the glass in Game 5, as that will be imperative for the Lynx to have a shot at knocking off New York on its home floor.
Sabrina Ionescu Under 5.5 Assists (-154, Caesars)
It's a do-or-die Game 5, which means it isn't time for the stars to be shy about shooting the ball.
Therefore, bettors should expect plenty of shots (and only a few assists) from Breanna Stewart, Collier and Ionescu.
After an 8-for-26 shooting night in Game 1, Ionescu's shooting volume dropped substantially in the following two games, during which she fired just 21 combined shots.
Still, in a Game 5 battle that will require big players to make big shots, we should see more from Ionescu on offense. Whether she hits those shots is irrelevant for this prop — we just need her to be focused on shooting.
Even when she has focused on passing the ball and creating more for her teammates, Ionescu has struggled to eclipse this line (5.5), falling short of it in seven of her past eight games.
