MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Lynx starting forward Alanna Smith said she was hopeful of being able to play in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday despite back issues that limited her in Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Lynx, down 2-1 in the best-of-five series, are in a must-win situation as they face the New York Liberty at Target Center (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).
The 6-foot-4 Smith was dealing with some back discomfort already that was aggravated on a play Wednesday where she fell backward battling New York’s Jonquel Jones in the second quarter.
Smith, in obvious discomfort after that, played just 6 minutes, 37 seconds in the second half in the Liberty’s 80-77 victory over the Lynx. In all, she played 19:51 with two points, both on free throws, and six rebounds. Myisha Hines-Allen filled in for Smith, playing 17:43 with four points and six rebounds.
“I’m banged up, I won’t lie,” Smith said Thursday as the teams met with reporters. “But we’re in the WNBA Finals. How your body feels shouldn’t matter that much. Everybody is…
