We are two-thirds of the way to a repeat of last season’s WNBA Finals between the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx.
Both the Lynx and Sparks were victorious in their Game 2 semifinal contests. The Lynx defeated the Washington Mystics 93-83 at Williams Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-72 in a game that was moved from LA’s primary home of Staples Center to Long Beach State.
Photo Credit: AP
The clincher was Minnesota going on a 13-3 run late in the fourth quarter with the Golden Gophers’ very own Lindsay Whalen being a major catalyst to the late Lynx surge. Prior to that scoring binge, the Lynx and Mystics were all knotted up at 75 in a contest that was undoubtedly more competitive than Game 1 was.
Early in the game, the Mystics went on a run of their own. With the score tied at 15 apiece, Washington embarked on a 14-4 run, putting themselves ahead of Minnesota 29-19 at the conclusion of one frame. Elena Delle Donne has ten points at the conclusion of the first quarter.
The Lynx responded in the second quarter, going on a 14-4 run of their own, tying the game at 33. The Mystics led 47-45 at the half.
Sylvia Fowles was named 2017 WNBA MVP prior to the game and she put up MVP-type numbers: 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. Maya Moore pitched in big time as well with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and made three of her seven three-point attempts. Seimone Augustus added 15 points and six rebounds and Rebekkah Brunson contributed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Delle Donne and Kristi Toliver each had 25 points for Washington.
Photo Credit: Stephen Carr/Los Angeles Daily News/AP
New venue, same result for the Sparks over the Mercury as Los Angeles won Game 2 to go ahead 2-0 over Phoenix.
In the third quarter of this one, the Sparks led by 15 with 1:31 to play prior to quarter number 4. That 61-46 lead became a 61-57 tally as Phoenix went on an 11-0 run.
Shortly afterwards, Los Angeles extended their lead back out to 10 as it became a 72-62 game in the Sparks’ favor.
If Candace Parker was showing any ill effects from twisting her ankle earlier in the week, it did not show in Game 2. Parker concluded her evening with a double-double: 24 points and 13 rebounds along with six assists and three blocks. Odyssey Sims added 21 points and five rebounds and Nneka Ogwumike finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Chelsea Gray—15 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Diana Taurasi certainly bounced back from her Game 1 outing where she only scored six points as she had 21 on the night for Phoenix. She also had five rebounds, and four assists. Brittney Griner contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and three blocked shots. Leilani Mitchell added 15 points and six rebounds and Yvonne Turner also had 10 points.
The Sparks went 16 of 17 from the free throw line and had an 11-5 edge on the offensive glass. Los Angeles’ defense also forced Phoenix into 18 turnovers.
Both Game 3’s are scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
