Napheesa Collier scores 23 to help Lynx beat Sparks 89-75
LOS ANGELES -- — Napheesa Collier scored 23 points, Alanna Smith added 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-75 on Sunday.
Courtney Williams finished with 13 points and 10 assists and Jessica Shepard scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lynx (2-0).
Azura Stevens led the Sparks (1-1) with 21 points. Dearica Hamby added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Kelsey Plum finished with 18 points and five assists.
Williams hit a 3-pointer a little over a minute into the second half that gave Minnesota the lead for good at 49-47 and sparked a 9-0 run.
Plum's basket with 7:45 to play cut the deficit to 75-70 but Karlie Samuelsson and Smith each hit a 3-pointer during an 11-0 run as the Sparks went scoreless for more than 5 1/2 minutes.
The Lynx shot 48% (34 of 71) from the field and hit 10 3-pointers.
The Lynx play their home opener against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings — who Minnesota beat 99-84 to open the season — on Wednesday. The Sparks visit Phoenix the same day.
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Regular Season Series
MIN leads 3-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Isaac Barnett
- Kelly Broomfield
- Catherine Chang
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 15 | 2 | .882 | - | W3 |
Phoenix | 12 | 6 | .667 | 3.5 | L2 |
Seattle | 11 | 7 | .611 | 4.5 | W1 |
Golden State | 9 | 7 | .563 | 5.5 | W2 |
Las Vegas | 8 | 9 | .471 | 7 | L1 |
Dallas | 6 | 13 | .316 | 10 | W2 |
Los Angeles | 5 | 13 | .278 | 10.5 | L2 |