It was the first time that two undefeated teams with at least 11 wins had met on the same court as the Staples Center at LA Live was the setting for the first of two matchups this week between the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks.
Big showdown tomorrow between the two best teams in the @WNBA! My 11-0 @LA_Sparks versus the 12-0 Minnesota Lynx! #GoSparks
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 20, 2016
The game was on NBA TV instead of ESPN and at 3:30 instead of in primetime on a weekday.
Nevertheless, regardless of the day, the time, or the television network, it was a matchup that lived up to the pregame hype.
One thing that was certainly apparent from this game is that it had a playoff feel to it. It was apparent from the opening tip that there was a reason the Sparks and Lynx currently stand as the two best teams in the WNBA.
The anticipation of this #SparksLynx game is so similar to the #NBAFinals the other night. Wow
— Delisha Milton-Jones (@DelishaMJones) June 21, 2016
The Lynx led the Sparks 25-21 after the first quarter before Los Angeles went into halftime with a one-point lead of 39-38.
It was 54-54 after three frames, And all knotted up at 69 with 28 seconds remaining.
Then, Renee Montgomery’s shot happened…
“that’s my dawg that’s my dawg” @Da20one ??
— Tina Charles (@tinacharles31) June 21, 2016
Yes my people @Da20one loves the big moments! #WNBA20
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) June 21, 2016
— Delisha Milton-Jones (@DelishaMJones) June 21, 2016
And after an intentionally missed free throw by Candace Parker, she found Kristi Tolliver who appeared to drain a three-pointer, only for her foot to be on the line and she did not get the shot off in time.
Oh shoot! That would have been crazy. Foot on the line.
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) June 21, 2016
Seimone Augustus finished with 13 points for Minnesota. Natasha Howard and Maya Moore (who the Lynx said did not play the last few minutes of the game with a thigh injury) had 12 each. Tolliver led all scorers with 20.
A difference could have been Minnesota’s effectiveness on the boards. The Lynx outrebounded the Sparks 42-29. The equation might as well be 42=13…as in 13-0 for Minnesota.
What a game ?? #WNBA20
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) June 21, 2016
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
