For the second time in eight days the Los Angeles Sparks took another run at the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. For the second time the Sparks fell short, but with a little more drama.
This game stayed much closer up until midway through the fourth quarter. Minnesota took the first quarter, although after an 8 – 0 start, the Sparks then caught up to within three points at 11 – 8. For the next two minutes both teams went ice cold until Kayla McBride broke the ice with a three-point shot, followed immediately by Dearica Hamby with a layup. With Minnesota up 21 – 13 on a three from Alissa Pili, Rickea Jackson hit a triple, and the quarter ended 21 – 16 Minnesota.
The Sparks found some footing in the second quarter when, after a jump shot by Courtney Williams opened the Minnesota lead to 25 – 18, the Lynx went scoreless for the next five minutes, and the Sparks pulled ahead 29 – 25 on a pair of shots by Kelsey Plum. The Lynx fought back, and with seven seconds left, Maria Kliundikova hit a layup for Minnesota putting the Lynx up 34 – 33, but Plum hit a buzzer beater, and the quarter ended with Los Angeles up 35 – 34.
The Second Half Between the Sparks And Lynx
The third quarter stayed tight with the score going back and forth. Then, the Sparks opened up a five-point lead midway through the quarter. Minnesota chipped away, and Minnesota pulled ahead 57 – 54. Then came the fourth quarter. With Minnesota up 58 – 56, Sarah Ashlee Barker hit a three for the Sparks giving them a 59 – 58 lead.
Kliundikova made a two point shot, starting what became a 10 point Minnesota run. The Lynx never looked back and closed the game 82 – 66. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 48 – 31 in the second half, thanks mostly to McBride scoring 15 of her 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Playing without Napheesa Collier, who was out with a back injury, the Lynx struggled to find real leadership. Kliundikova was inserted in the starting lineup which showed a lot of trust coming from Cheryl Reeve. Kliundikova was playing in only her fifth game with the Lynx. She has now scored in double figures in the past three. Williams added 18 points for the Lynx.
Plum scored 15 to lead the Sparks, with Hamby scoring 13 and Azura Stevens scoring 11. Neither team’s benches were major factors, with the Lynx bench outscoring the Sparks 14 – 12. The Sparks have good shooters. Perhaps they were just gassed in the fourth quarter, looking a little slower and sloppier than earlier in the game. Minnesota overcame its mid-game struggles once again, and the fourth quarter surge showcases the qualities that define a championship team.
What’s Next For Los Angeles and Minnesota?
Certainly they will want Collier back as soon as is possible, as well as Jessica Shepard whose presence is missed. However, the addition of Kliundikova so far seems to be a good one, another weapon in the Lynx arsenal. Up next for the Sparks is a game at Chicago. For Minnesota, they will travel to the DMV for a game with the Washington Mystics.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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