Minnesota Lynx Triumph Over Los Angeles Sparks with a Stellar Performance

MINNEAPOLIS — Napheesa Collier dazzled with a spectacular performance, scoring 26 of her total 32 points in the first half, as the Minnesota Lynx decisively defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 101-78 on Saturday. Courtney Williams contributed to the victory with 17 points, helping the Lynx get back on track after a recent setback.

Supporting the Lynx’s efforts, reserves Natisha Hiedeman added 14 points and Maria Klaudikova chipped in with 11. This victory improved their impressive record to 10-1, a nice recovery following their first loss of the season to the Seattle Storm, 94-84, on Wednesday.

This game marked Collier’s third performance surpassing 30 points this season. Her impressive start included a season-high 34 points in a victory over Dallas on May 16, followed by a 33-point game against Connecticut shortly after.

In the match against the Sparks, Collier put on such a strong showing that she was able to rest in the fourth quarter. Her shooting was exceptional, going 13-for-16, which included 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.

Collier’s scoring spree in the first quarter was unmatched, as she made more field goals alone than the entire Sparks team. She went 7-for-9, while Los Angeles managed only 4-for-7. This dominance resulted in a 34-15 lead for Minnesota by the end of the first quarter.

By halftime, Collier’s precision saw her shooting at 10-for-12, whereas the entire Los Angeles team was lagging behind, hitting just 7-for-30. Minnesota capitalized on this, ending the half with a 58-26 lead, marking their highest-scoring half of the season.

Despite the loss, Kelsey Plum shone brightly for the Sparks with 20 points, followed by Rickea Jackson with 18, Emma Cannon with 14, and Dearica Hamby, who not only scored 10 points but also pulled down 12 rebounds.