Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks
· FIRST ROUNDSparks eliminate defending champion Lynx 75-68
After Minnesota's Maya Moore missed two free throws with 1:56 remaining, Gray sank a long jumper to extend Los Angeles' lead to 70-65. Minnesota turned it over on its next possession and Nneka Ogwumike hit two free throws.
Temi Fagbenle made an open corner 3-pointer to pull Minnesota to 72-68 with 52.4 seconds to go, but Moore was off on a contested 3-pointer on the next possession and Ogwumike sealed it at the free-throw line.
Sixth-seeded Los Angeles (20-15) will play at No. 3 seed Washington on Thursday.
Ogwumike added 19 points for Los Angeles and Riquna Williams scored 17. Candace Parker, who averages nearly 18 points, was held to two.
Gray and Ogwumike combined to score 23 of Los Angeles' 25 second-quarter points. The Sparks closed the half on a 15-3 run for a 40-37 lead.
Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 12 rebounds for her 21st playoff double-double for seventh-seeded Minnesota (18-17). Fagbenle scored a career-high 15 points and Moore added 14.
Four-time WNBA champion Lindsay Whalen, who announced her retirement last week, scored nine points in her final game.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook sat courtside, as did Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo.
Regular Season Series
LA wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 68 - 75 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 68 - 75 |
| 4th 1.5 |  |
Candace Parker defensive rebound | 68 - 75 |
| 4th 3.5 |  |
Lindsay Whalen misses 19-foot pullup jump shot | 68 - 75 |
| 4th 8.1 | |
Riquna Williams makes free throw 2 of 2 | 68 - 75 |
Statistics
 MIN |
 LA |
|
|---|---|---|
| 29-63 | FG | 27-62 |
| 46 | Field Goal % | 44 |
| 4-15 | 3PT | 7-19 |
| 27 | Three Point % | 37 |
| 6-11 | FT | 14-16 |
| 55 | Free Throw % | 88 |
| 32 | Rebounds | 27 |
| 10 | Offensive Rebounds | 5 |
| 22 | Defensive Rebounds | 22 |
| 16 | Assists | 15 |
| 6 | Steals | 9 |
| 3 | Blocks | 6 |
| 15 | Turnovers | 10 |
| 2 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 17 | Total Turnovers | 10 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 24 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 12 |
| 8 | Fast Break Points | 7 |
| 40 | Points in Paint | 26 |
| 15 | Fouls | 12 |
| 11 | Largest Lead | 14 |
Game Information
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 8,598 · Capacity:
2025-26 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota |
- | 7 | W2 | 0.7941176 | 27 |
 Golden State |
3 | 9 | W4 | 0.71875 | 23 |
 Las Vegas |
4 | 11 | W1 | 0.6764706 | 23 |
 Dallas |
7.5 | 14 | L3 | 0.57575756 | 19 |
 Portland |
13 | 19 | W2 | 0.40625 | 13 |
 Los Angeles |
14 | 20 | L2 | 0.375 | 12 |
 Phoenix |
14.5 | 22 | W1 | 0.37142858 | 13 |
 Seattle |
20.5 | 28 | W1 | 0.2 | 7 |
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