The Minnesota Lynx faced off against the Los Angeles Sparks in a back-and-forth battle last night, reminiscent of many Lynx matchups at the Target Center. It was a contest of which team could dig deep and play harder. From the start, the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier ignited the crowd with her aggressive play in the paint. The Sparks’ 6-foot-3 Dearica Hamby grabbed 6 rebounds early and dominated in the paint, making it difficult for the Lynx to avoid errors and shifting momentum towards the Sparks. When Olivia Époupa entered the game, the pace changed; she played aggressively and was described by Collier in the post-game press conference as a “pest,” showcasing her role as a confident playmaker. Despite Collier’s scoring efforts, Hamby countered strongly, maneuvering through Alanna Smith and Collier to maintain a tight game. The Sparks ended the first half with a substantial lead, 35-24.
In the second half, Sparks’ 6-foot-4 Cameron Brink engaged in a competitive battle against Phee, resulting in a suspenseful game where the score tightened from 48-48 to 63-59 in favor of the Lynx. The close score intensified the game, where every second and challenge counted for both teams. Players like Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams remained mentally focused even when subbed out, closely observing the game from the sidelines.
Courtney Williams made a significant impact for the Lynx, concluding the game with 15 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range. She also recorded a season-high 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals.
As the game neared its end, the Lynx held a 77-71 lead with less than 2 minutes left. A challenge on a foul for the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson was successfully overturned, reducing the deficit to 77-72. The Lynx secured their victory with decisive play in the final seconds, ultimately winning 81-76 and defending their home court.
The game held special significance as Minnesota Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles, a former WNBA MVP and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, received a standing ovation at the Target Center from players and fans alike. Phee’s exceptional performance stood out, achieving 30 points and 8 steals in a historic display, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 8+ assists, and 2 blocks in a single game.
Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve praised Phee’s aggressive and passionate play, noting its contagious effect on the team: “She really put the team on her back and did everything tonight.” Looking ahead, the Lynx will face the Dallas Wings on Monday at 7 PM at the Target Center.
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
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