The Minnesota Lynx outscored the Los Angeles Sparks in the third quarter of their Sunday matinee 23-18. And the Sparks dominated the rest of the game.
L.A. outscored their longtime rivals by four points in the first quarter, six points in the second quarter, and 11 in the final frame to coast to a 97-81 victory.
Candace Parker controlled the game, being trusted with ballhandling duties for long stretches of time, and controlling the paint with Lynx center Sylvia Fowles sidelined by injury. Parker finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals, coming just a single assist shy of becoming the first player in WNBA history to accomplish multiple regular-season triple-doubles.