Big fourth quarter leads Lynx to win over Sparks

The Sparks fell short in their comeback attempt against the Minnesota Lynx, losing 80-64 on the road Saturday night.

Sylvia Fowles’ 15 points, career-high five steals and nine rebounds helped the Lynx (4-5) outlast the Sparks (4-5). Guard Crystal Dangerfield scored 16 off the bench for the Lynx, who outscored the Sparks 23-7 in the fourth.

It’s been four years since the two teams competed in back-to-back WNBA Finals, but Saturday’s physicality mirrored that of a playoff game.

“No matter which players are playing there’s just that energy when these two teams collide,” Sparks coach Derek Fisher said before the game.

That culminated in the fourth quarter where Sparks center Amanda Zahui B. and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier got into a shoving match, resulting in three technical fouls for each team.

After a time stoppage that allowed the referees to discuss the contention, the Lynx gained momentum and pushed their sixpoint lead to 16, the largest of the game.

The Sparks, who trailed 49-35 at the half, got back on track forcing nine turnovers in the third quarter and used a 12-0 run to tie it at 54-all on a jumper by Te’a Cooper with 1:54 left in the quarter. Her 3-pointer less than a minute later made it 57-57, but Rachel Banham answered each time with a 3-pointer.

The run followed a hard fall from Sparks guard Erica Wheeler, who hit her head on the court after a block from Fowles. Wheeler clutched her head for a few minutes and was helped back to the locker room. She didn’t return.

Cooper led the Sparks with 17 points. Zahui B. had 15 points and eight rebounds and Kristi Toliver added 13 points and five assists.

The Sparks shot just 32.9% (23 of 70) from the field, including 8 of 23 (34.8%) from 3-point range.

Homecoming

The game also served as a homecoming for Sparks assistant coach Seimone Augustus, who spent 14 seasons playing for Minnesota.

Before the game, the Lynx announced that both Augustus and her former teammate, sitting on the opposing bench, assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson will have their jerseys retired in the Target Center rafters. Augustus and Brunson won five WNBA titles playing for Minnesota from 2011-2017.