Introduction to the Game
MINNEAPOLIS — Kayla McBride scored 15 of her season-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, Courtney Williams added 18 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 82-66 on Saturday night for their third straight win.
Napheesa Collier did not play for the Lynx (12-1). The 2024 WNBA defensive player of the year, Collier, left early in the third quarter of Minnesota’s 76-62 win over Las Vegas on Tuesday and did not return.
Performance of Key Players
McBride made 9 of 13 from the field, 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and Williams finished with six assists and four steals. Maria Kliundikova had 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks for Minnesota.
Turning Point of the Game
Sarah Ashlee Barker hit a 3-pointer that gave the Sparks a 59-58 lead with 7:43 remaining in the game. Kliundikova answered with a layup 24 seconds later, McBride added a 3-pointer and a three-point play and Williams made a pull-up jumper with 4:48 left that gave Minnesota a nine-point lead. Dearica Hamby made a layup to cut the deficit to seven before Alanna Smith and McBride hit 3s 31 seconds apart, about a minute later.
Sparks’ Performance
Kelsey Plum scored 11 of her 15 points in the first half, including a layup with 0.2 seconds left in the second quarter that gave the Sparks a 35-34 lead at halftime. Hamby finished with 13 points and four steals and Azura Stevens had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Head-to-Head Record
Los Angeles (4-10) has lost 16 of its last 18 against the Lynx, who beat the Sparks 89-75 in Los Angeles on May 18 and 101-78 at home last Saturday.
Upcoming Games
The Sparks play at Chicago and the Lynx at Washington on Tuesday.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Lynx’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks marked their third straight victory, with Kayla McBride’s season-high 29 points being a key factor in the game. The Sparks, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive loss, highlighting the need for improvement in their upcoming games.
FAQs
- Q: Who was the top scorer for the Minnesota Lynx?
A: Kayla McBride scored a season-high 29 points. - Q: What is the head-to-head record between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx?
A: The Sparks have lost 16 of their last 18 games against the Lynx. - Q: When do the Sparks and the Lynx play their next games?
A: The Sparks play at Chicago and the Lynx at Washington on Tuesday.
Originally Published: June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM PDT
