Lynx spoil Kelsey Plum's home debut with victory over Sparx

WNBA: Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks — Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier passes the ball on Sunday during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.

By Field Level Media

May 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM

LOS ANGELES 鈥� Napheesa Collier scored 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, and the Minnesota Lynx pulled away for an 89-75 win over the host Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday evening.

Alanna Smith finished with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting for Minnesota, which won its second straight road game to start the season. Courtney Williams posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists, and Jessica Shepard added her own double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

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Azura Stevens scored 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting to lead Los Angeles. Dearica Hamby scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kelsey Plum finished with 18 points in her home debut with the Sparks.

Minnesota shot 47.9 percent (34 of 71) overall and 40 percent (10 of 25) from beyond the arc. Los Angeles shot 40 percent (24 of 60) from the field and 34.6 percent (9 of 26) from 3-point range.

The Lynx outscored the Sparks 43-30 in the second half to secure the victory.

Minnesota started the third quarter on a 9-2 run to pull ahead 55-47. That included a 3-pointer by Williams, a layup by Collier and back-to-back baskets by Bridget Carleton and Smith.

Natisha Hiedeman made a pair of free throws to put the Lynx on top 70-62 in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Lynx held off the Sparks the rest of the way, outscoring them 19-13 during the fourth quarter.

Minnesota led 46-45 at the half. Collier led all scorers with 17 points at the break.

The Lynx jumped to a 30-25 lead at the end of the first quarter. Hiedeman drove for a floating jump shot with three seconds left to make it a five-point edge.

The Sparks outscored the Lynx 20-16 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to one. Los Angeles scored the final five points of the first half thanks to a 3-pointer by Plum and a jump shot by Hamby.

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