Photo Gallery | Lynx vs. Sparks

Thu, Jul 30, 2015, 5:23 PM

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Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks faced off last night in the Target Center in a game full of firsts. It was both team’s first game back after the All-Star Break, it was Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen’s first game back after suffering an eye injury a few weeks ago, it was Lynx center Sylvia Fowles’ first game in a Lynx uniform and it was Sparks guard Candace Parker’s first game of the season after taking the first half of the season to rest.

Despite the extreme disparity in records, the game was a close one right to the end; however, the Lynx emerged victorious, winning 82-76. Forward Maya Moore led all scorers, pouring in 27 points while Whalen added a quiet 24 point and six assists to guide the Lynx to a win. There were so many great plays and moments in the game that it’s hard to show them all. For those fans that missed the game last night, and shame on you for missing a Lynx game, but for those that did miss it, fret not; you can catch up (in a way) on all of last night’s action with these incredible photos. Enjoy!

Center Sylvia Fowles, making her first Lynx appearance after a trade with Chicago brought her to Minnesota, had a solid debut, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes of play.

Center Sylvia Fowles, making her first Lynx appearance after a trade with Chicago brought her to Minnesota, had a solid debut, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes of play.

Sparks forward Candace Parker made her season deubt after sitting out the first half of the season to rest. Parker played well, finishing just shy of a triple-double: 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Sparks forward Candace Parker made her season deubt after sitting out the first half of the season to rest. Parker played well, finishing just shy of a triple-double: 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Lynx forward Maya Moore had another MVP-type performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing seven rebounds and snatching three steals.

Lynx forward Maya Moore had another MVP-type performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing seven rebounds and snatching three steals.

Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen was spectacular against the Sparks. Playing in her first game back from an eye injury, Whalen made dazzling passes, showed great leadership and scored timely baskets, including a jaw-dopping reverse layup that ignited the Target Center. Whalen finished with 24 points and six assists.

Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen was spectacular against the Sparks. Playing in her first game back from an eye injury, Whalen made dazzling passes, showed great leadership and scored timely baskets, including a jaw-dopping reverse layup that ignited the Target Center. Whalen finished with 24 points and six assists.

Sparks guard Kristi Toliver played well, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting (38 percent) in 33 minutes of play.

Sparks guard Kristi Toliver played well, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting (38 percent) in 33 minutes of play.

Lynx guard Renee Montgomery had a rather quiet game off the bench, making her only shot and finishing with just two points. She did however have a huge play defensively, taking a charge late in the fourth quarter to help seal a Lynx victory.

Lynx guard Renee Montgomery had a rather quiet game off the bench, making her only shot and finishing with just two points. She did however have a huge play defensively, taking a charge late in the fourth quarter to help seal a Lynx victory.

Lynx center Asjha Jones provided Minnesota with some timely baskets off the bench, finishing with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting (75 percent).

Lynx center Asjha Jones provided Minnesota with some timely baskets off the bench, finishing with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting (75 percent).

As good as the Minnesota Lynx played defensively, they could not find an answer for Sparks center Jantel Lavender. Lavender finished with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds as well.

As good as the Minnesota Lynx played defensively, they could not find an answer for Sparks center Jantel Lavender. Lavender finished with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds as well.

With 27 points against Los Angeles, Maya Moore extended her franchise-record 20+ points scoring streak to nine straight games. Moore entered the game averaging 25.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in her previous eight games.

With 27 points against Los Angeles, Maya Moore extended her franchise-record 20+ points scoring streak to nine straight games. Moore entered the game averaging 25.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in her previous eight games.

Sparks guard Alana Beard, playing in her first game back since suffering an ankle injury just two games into the season, finished with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting (66 percent) in 20 minutes of play.

Sparks guard Alana Beard, playing in her first game back since suffering an ankle injury just two games into the season, finished with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting (66 percent) in 20 minutes of play.

Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson had a quiet night offensively, finishing with just three points and seven rebounds, but played well defensively keeping Sparks star Candace Parker in-check and snatching three steals.

Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson had a quiet night offensively, finishing with just three points and seven rebounds, but played well defensively keeping Sparks star Candace Parker in-check and snatching three steals.

Lynx guard Anna Cruz had a solid all-around game, finishing with five points, five rebounds and four assists. Cruz left the game late in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

Lynx guard Anna Cruz had a solid all-around game, finishing with five points, five rebounds and four assists. Cruz left the game late in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

 

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