The Minnesota Lynx were right there in Sunday evening’s game against the Aces, sitting there tied at 54-54 to start the fourth quarter.
But one team pulled away, and that team was not the Lynx.
The Lynx fell 79-74, despite holding the Aces to just 25 points in the second and third quarters combined.
This marks Minnesota’s fifth loss this season by five or fewer points.
The difference was the start and end of the game, along with free throws. The Lynx attempted just 11 free throws, hitting eight, while the Aces attempted 22 free throws and hit 17.
The Aces were without A’ja Wilson (ankle), but Liz Cambage and Kayla McBride picked up the slack, combined for 42 points on 15-for-28 shooting.
The Lynx were led by All-Stars Odyssey Sims and Sylvia Fowles. Sims finished with 19 points, but turned the ball over five times. Fowles added 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Stephanie Talbot was big off the bench, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 5-for-9 from the field.
The loss drops the Lynx to 10-9 on the season, eighth in the league. Minnesota is just 1.5 games up on No. 9 New York, but just 2.5 games back from first place in what’s a very crowded (and entertaining) playoff picture.
Minnesota is back at it for Wednesday’s day game against the Mystics at Target Center before a nice break for the All-Star game. Tipoff is set for noon CT. You can get tickets here.
(Bring your earplugs.)