Lynx Outpace Sparks from the Beginning, Failing to Mount a Comeback in Defeat
Lynx Trumps Sparks, Collier Shines Brilliantly
Coming off their first loss of the season, the Minnesota Lynx bounced back with a resounding 101-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. Napheesa Collier, in scorching form, racked up 32 points, 19 in the first half alone, powering the Lynx (10-1) to victory.
Courtney Williams contributed 17 points to the cause, while reserves Natisha Hiedeman and Maria Kliundikova added 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Lynx had tasted defeat at the hands of the Seattle Storm in mid-May, but they had no such issues with the Sparks (4-8).
The first quarter set the tone for the game, as Collier outscored the Sparks, going 7-for-9 from the field compared to the team's paltry 4-for-7. A commanding 34-15 lead at the end of the first quarter effectively put the game beyond reach for Los Angeles.
Kelsey Plum scored a solid 20 points for the Sparks, with Rickea Jackson, Emma Cannon, and Dearica Hamby contributing 18, 14, and 10 points, respectively, along with Hamby's 12 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Sparks, their shooting efficiency was disappointing, with half-time scores of 10-for-12 for Collier compared to the team's dismal 7-for-30. The Lynx dominated the first half, leading 58-26, a season-high score for them so far.
In Game 1 on May 18, Collier had already demonstrated her prowess against the Sparks, scoring 23 points with 6 rebounds and leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 89-75 win. In the following encounter on June 14, she outdid herself, scoring a season-high 32 points, including 26 in the first half. Her first quarter performance against the Sparks was particularly impressive, as she made more field goals than the whole team in that quarter alone.
Footnotes:[1] Lynx defeat Sparks[2] Collier's dominant first quarter[3] Collier's 32-point performance explained[4] Lynx rally to defeat Sparks[5] Sparks struggle against Lynx
In the previous encounter on June 14, Napheesa Collier solidified her impressive record against the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring a season-high 32 points, even outdoing her initial 23-point performance in the May 18 game. This time, she showcased her prowess particularly in the first quarter, scoring more field goals than the entire Sparks team in that period alone. The resounding 101-78 victory by the Minnesota Lynx occurred in California, specifically in Los Angeles, where the WNBA basketball action took place.
