Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
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The Minnesota Lynx took down the Los Angeles Sparks 88-77 on Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center to remain the top team in the WNBA with a 13-1 record.
Here are our three observations from the game:
Lynx Remain On Top Of WNBA
The Lynx came into Thursday night’s game with a one-game lead for the best record in the WNBA. After Thursday’s game, that gap was stretched with Minnesota (13-1 overall) now holding a two-game lead over Los Angeles (12-4) for the top spot in the league.
The game was the first matchup this season between the Lynx and Sparks. The last time the two teams played previous to Thursday was in Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals.
The win extended Minnesota’s winning streak to four straight games, while Los Angeles saw its eight-game winning streak come to a close.
Season-High For Montgomery
One player that stood out in Thursday night’s win was ninth-year guard Renee Montgomery.
Coming off of the bench, Montgomery finished with a season-high 20 points, her first 20-plus point game since May 25, 2012, when she scored 25 points against the Phoenix Mercury as a member of the Connecticut Sun.
But it wasn’t just Montgomery’s scoring that stood out in the win, she did a little bit of everything. Along with her 20 points, she added four assists, three steals and two rebounds.
Along with Montgomery, Sylvia Fowles had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Seimone Augustus had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists, Maya Moore had 10 points, five rebounds and three steals, Plenette Pierson had nine points and five rebounds and Rebekkah Brunson added five points and seven rebounds.
Slowing Down Parker
With the exception of Nneka Ogwumike’s 27 points and 14 rebounds, Minnesota held Los Angeles in check for a majority of the game.
That included slowing down Sparks standout Candace Parker, who finished with two points, three assists and three rebounds in 31-plus minutes.
The point total was Parker’s lowest of the season and it was just the second time this season she was held under 10 points. Parker entered the game top-15 in the WNBA in scoring.
Another example of the Lynx defense stepping up once again. Minnesota holds the best defensive rating in the WNBA at 96.0.
The Lynx are back in action at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Chicago Sky in Chicago. The game will be aired on WNBA League Pass and 106.1 BOB FM.