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Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun

The Minnesota Lynx wanted to go to the WNBA Playoffs. They wanted it badly; they got it.

It wasn’t the prettiest game (although the third quarter was loaded with gorgeous plays) but the Lynx emerged victorious over the San Antonio Stars, winning 83-76 and punching their ticket to the playoffs for the fifth-straight season.

This game was defined by the third quarter; plain and simple.

“There was that stretch there where we were really, really good,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, speaking about her team’s third quarter comeback. “Right now this is that point in the season where everybody is vying for a playoff spot…it took a lot for us to get out of here with a W.”

Trailing by 11 at halftime, the Lynx outscored the Stars 30-13 in the third quarter, carried a 65-59 lead into the fourth and never lost their momentum. Lynx forward Maya Moore was the human highlight-reel in the third, dazzling with 12 points and two steals and ignited the Target Center with a spectacular one-handed alley-oop from guard Lindsay Whalen to give the Lynx the lead. Whalen had a great third quarter herself, scoring five points and dishing out six assists to fuel the comeback. Moore finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Whalen finished with seven points, three rebounds and nine assists.

Whalen also notched assist number 2,000 tonight, making her just the third player in WNBA history with 2,000+ assists, joining guards Ticha Penicheiro and Sue Bird on that list.

“Yeah it is [very meaningful],” said Whalen, when asked about the meaning of joining such a prestigious group. “It’s a team award in that type of a stat so it’s definitely cool to be a part of that group and have 2,000. So, like I said, it means I’ve played with a lot of great players and made some plays along the way.”

Lynx center Sylvia Fowles had another great game, adding seven points in Minnesota’s huge third quarter to finish with 16 points and four rebounds.

Forward Kayla McBride led the Stars, scoring 24 points on 10-of-20 (50 percent) shooting. Guard Jia Perkins kicked in 15 points and forward Danielle Adams added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench in the loss.

LEADER OF THE PACK: MAYA MOORE

What can be said about Maya Moore that hasn’t been said already? The Lynx forward was simply unstoppable tonight, pouring in 32 points on 11-of-23 (48 percent) shooting and adding nine rebounds and four assists while leading her team to an 83-76 victory.

How good was Maya Moore tonight? See for yourself.

https://twitter.com/ZacharyBD/status/631274641764421632

Any player that can do this:

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 11: Maya Moore #23 of the Minnesota Lynx goes for the lay up against the San Antonio Stars on August 11, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

PHOTO CREDIT: David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images

is a world-class, All-Star caliber, MVP-esque player and deserves a standing ovation.

Moore was not going to let her team fall tonight and she made amazing play after amazing play to help her team clinch a spot in the playoffs.

“Actually I was just going to throw an all-out chest pass to her but then Danielle Robinson made a very good defensive play and I had to kind of adjust in the middle of the play and throw it up in the air, ” said Whalen.

PLAY OF THE GAME

SEE ABOVE^^^^

Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore made the play of the night with their jaw-dropping alley-oop that made Target Center absolutely explode. It wasn’t just the play of the game, it was the play of the night and maybe even play of the week.

You ever want to know just how good Moore and Whalen are, watch this play and see (I can speak from experience having watched the play a couple hundred times now; it just doesn’t get old).

QUOTEABLE

It just kind of happens. It means I’ve played a lot of years so I’m old. Only three players have done it so it’s nice to be in that company,” Guard Lindsay Whalen talking about joining the 2,000 assist group with guards Ticha Penicheiro and Sue Bird. Entering tonight’s game,Whalen needed just eight assists to hit the mark and, of course, Whalen got nine.

UP NEXT

The Lynx head back on the road after a nice two-game home-stand. They will now travel to Atlanta to take on the Dream on Friday night. The game will start at 6:30 P.M. CT.

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