Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter
7 p.m., Xcel Energy Center
Where to Watch: ESPN2
Where to Listen: 106.1 BOB FM
The Minnesota Lynx look to extend on their WNBA-best record on Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Sparks in St. Paul.
The Lynx come in at 12-1 overall and are in first in the WNBA standings. The Sparks enter at 12-3 and are in second place.
Here are a few tidbits prior to Thursday’s game:
- The Lynx have won three straight games entering the game. The Sparks come in winners of eight straight.
- Minnesota hold a one-game lead over Los Angeles for the best record in the WNBA.
- The Lynx rank first in both points per game (88.0) and points allowed per game (76.2). The Stars rank third in both points per game (85.8) and points allowed (78.1).
Coming Off Of…
Minnesota is coming off of a 91-83 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in Phoenix.
Maya Moore had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists and Sylvia Fowles had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lynx. Lindsay Whalen had 14 points and four rebounds, Seimone Augustus had 11 points, Jia Perkins had nine points and five rebounds and Rebekkah Brunson had seven points and 10 rebounds.
Los Angeles is coming off of 76-69 win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Candace Parker had 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and Chelsea Gray had 17 points and six rebounds to lead the Sparks. Nneka Ogwumike had 15 points and five rebounds and Alana Beard had 13 points and five rebounds.
Last Matchup
Minnesota held a 2-1 regular season series advantage over Los Angeles last season. The last matchup came on Sept. 6 in Los Angeles, with the Lynx winning 77-74.
In that game, Fowles had 21 points and nine rebounds, Moore had 20 points and seven rebounds, Whalen had 10 points and three assists, Augustus had eight points and Brunson and Renee Montgomery had six points each.
For the Sparks, Gray had 20 points and Ogwumike had 19 points and eight rebounds. Kristi Tolliver had 11 points, Parker had 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Essence Carson had six points.
Thursday’s game is the first of three games between the two teams this season. The second game will come on Aug. 11 in St. Paul.
Key Matchup: Sylvia Fowles vs. Candace Parker
One matchup to keep an eye on during Thursday’s game will come between Minnesota’s Sylvia Fowles and Los Angeles’ Candace Parker.
Fowles, who won the Western Conference Player of the Month for June, has been one of the best players in the WNBA so far this season. She is averaging 20.7 points (ranks 2nd in WNBA), 10.1 rebounds (2nd in WNBA), 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals (3rd in WNBA) and 1.8 blocks (3rd in WNBA) per game.
Parker is having another solid season for the Sparks this season. She is averaging 17 points (9th in WNBA), 8.3 rebounds (7th in WNBA), 4.6 assists (9th in WNBA), 1.9 blocks (2nd in WNBA) and 1.2 steals (17th in WNBA) per game.
Injuries
Los Angeles: No injuries to report.
Minnesota: No injuries to report.
Projected Starters
Los Angeles: PG – Williams, SG – Gray, SF – Beard, PF – Ogwumike, C – Parker
Minnesota: PG – Whalen, SG – Augustus, SF – Moore, PF – Brunson, C – Fowles