Lynx win, spoiling return of Augustus

MINNEAPOLIS — Crystal Dangerfield was four of five from three-point range and finished with 16 points and Minnesota beat the Sparks 80-64 on Saturday night, spoiling the return of Lynx great — and current Sparks assistant coach — Seimone Augustus.

The Lynx announced earlier Saturday the franchise will retire the jersey numbers of Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson during the 2022 season. Brunson’s No. 32 and Augustus’ No. 33 will be the second and third numbers officially retired in franchise history, joining Lindsay Whalen’s No. 13.

Augustus made her return to Minnesota for the first time since announcing her retirement in May. The eight-time All-Star spent 14 of her 15 WNBA seasons with the Lynx, where she won four WNBA titles, before playing last season with the Sparks.

The first overall pick in the 2006 draft is Minnesota’s all-time scoring leader with 5,881 points, and also ranks first in franchise history in regular season games played (370), games started (365) and minutes played (10,917).

Dangerfield made backto-back three-pointers in a tiebreaking 10-0 run to close the first quarter and open the second and her three with 10.2 seconds left in the second quarter made it 4935 at halftime. The Lynx never again trailed.

Cooper led the Sparks (4-5) with 17 points. Amanda Zahui B. added 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.