Minnesota Lynx clinch playoff spot with an 87-68 win vs. Los Angeles Sparks – WNBA Recap
On Saturday night, Minnesota Lynx clinched their first playoff berth since 2004 by downing Los Angeles Sparks 87-68 at Target Center. It was second consecutive victory for Minnesota, who are heading the league with a 20-6 record.
In doing so, Lynx also tied a team record for wins in a season.
Seimone Augustus led two Lynx players in double figures with 17 points, shooting 7 for 13 from the field. She also dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds.
"I thought this day was going to come, it could not get no worse than where we were at," Augustus said. "I am happy this day has finally arrived. We are happy about it. I know the fans are excited. Everybody's got, like, a weight
lifted off our shoulders that we finally made it."
Candice Wiggins, who is in her fourth season for Minnesota, came off the bench with 13 points, including 4 for 7 from three-point land. Monica Wright added 11 points and three rebounds in the victory.
Candace Parker led Los Angeles with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Parker shot 7 for 14 from the field, including 3 for 3 from three-point range. However, the 25-year-old scored just five points in the
crucial second half.
Sparks coach Joe Bryant said of Parker’s sloppy second half, "She had a couple of bunnies she missed that she doesn't miss if she's at full (strength)," "She looked good, though. We'll take her at 80 percent."
Tina Thompson contributed 11 points and five rebounds while Jantel Lavender came off the bench with 10 points and four rebounds in the loss.
Los Angeles shot 48.2 percent (27 for 56) from the floor, 47.1 percent (8 for 17) beyond the arc and 47.1 percent (6 for 9) from free throw line. Minnesota shot 43.4 percent (33 for 76) from the field, 45 percent (9 for 20) from
three-point range and 70.6 percent (12 for 17) from the line. The Lynx committed nine turnovers while the visiting team committed 16. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 30-20 in points in the paint. Lynx were also dominant in the paint and grabbed 43 rebounds
as compared to just 24 by the Sparks.
Los Angeles stated strongly and carried a 20-10 lead with 02:05 to go in the first quarter before Jessica Adair responded with a lay-up and a jumper to cut the deficit to six, 20-14, heading into the second.
Lynx roared back into the contest in the second quarter and limited the Sparks to just 14 points, converting their deficit into a 12-points lead, 46-34, at halftime. Minnesota outplayed Los Angeles 25-18 in the third quarter and
pushed their lead to 19 points, 71-52. They maintained their double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and finally punched their long-awaited ticket to the playoffs.
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