What happened: Angel Reese and Gabby Williams stand as the top two candidates for WNBA Finals MVP ahead of Game 5. The race centers on the series' two most prominent two-way contributors entering the decider.

Why it matters: The Game 5 winner claims the 2026 championship, so the award will turn on the closing performance. The matchup renews the USA-France pairing that has run through the series.

What to watch: Game 5 tips at 8 p.m. ET with the series set to decide the champion.