Basketball On The Internet.

THERE may have been a better WNBA Championship Series than the one Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty are currently providing, but it would take some time to remember which, this epic best-of-five series tied at 2-2 and with an Australian sure to finish it as a champion.

Alanna Smith, injured but playing through the pain with the grit and determination typical of an Aussie, today shone brightly as the Lynx levelled the championship with an 82-80 Game 4 victory at home, the series shifting back to Barclay's Center in New York for the deciding Game 5 on Monday morning, Australian time.

Liberty - and Australian Opals coach - Sandy Brondello, is chasing her second championship after winning one with Phoenix Mercury and led by another star Aussie, Penny Taylor. 

New York lost the championship series last year to Las Vegas Aces and still is in pursuit of its historic first title, something the odds state are in its favour, only seven series going the full five games and home sides winning five times.

But Minnesota showed it could win in New York by sneaking Game 1 in overtime 95-93. The Lynx trailed by 18 in the first half and by 15 halfway through the final quarter before pulling off a memorable comeback win to succeed after trailing by the greatest deficit in Championship Series history.

It was Smith who secured the key offensive rebound and fed the assist back out to Courtney Williams - remember her playing for Perth in the WNBL? - for the 3-point make and bonus free throw that saved the match in regulation.

Williams' free throw bonus made it 84-83, Breanna Stewart scoring one free throw to tie it up before Napheesa Collier and Smith gave Minnesota an 88-84 lead. New York's Jonquel Jones tied it up at 93-93 before Collier hit the fadeaway for the win.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton - remember when she played WNBL with Bendigo, or Perth? - hit 4-of-6 threes as New York tied the series with an 80-66 Game 2 win, then stole back the advantage with a sensational 80-77 Game 3 win at Target Center on a massive 3-ball from Sabrina Ionescu.

Smith struggled and was clearly hobbled by an ankle injury, playing a series-low 19 minutes. But today she battled gamely through 30 minutes for 12 points, including 2-of-2 triples.

Her screens, rolls, defensive deflections, weakside help - all the little things that don't necessarily show up in the boxscore, are making her invaluable to the Lynx's championship quest.

And considering Stewart was allowed to finish the game with four fouls despite twice blatantly fouling afterwards, meant there was some poetic justice in the result.

Rarely has there been a more outstanding championship in WNBA history. This isn't women's basketball at its finest - this is BASKETBALL at its finest.

This is where Brondello's coaching fits best and where Smith has shown she long has been under-utilised and under-appreciated (prior to Paris) by the Opals.

It is incredible ball. Find a way to tune in to Game 5. You won't be sorry.