WNBA Monday Night
Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks
The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks — set to clash on Monday night at 10 p.m. ET — are embroiled in one of the best rivalries in WNBA history. This season, both are in the mix for a first-round bye, which is the reward for teams that finish in the top four in the standings.
The Sparks, who won their first meeting with the Lynx by 16 points on Aug. 9, have been on a nine-game winning streak after starting the season at 3-3. The Lynx are 5-4 in their last nine contests after a 5-1 start. LA is currently tied with the Las Vegas Aces for second place and trail only the 13-3 Seattle Storm. Minnesota is fourth place in the standings, one-half game ahead of the Chicago Sky.
A Sparks win would put them in a tie for first place with the Storm — Seattle owns the head-to-head tiebreaker — and could also put the Lynx behind the Sky. In contrast, if Minnesota wins and Chicago loses, Minnesota will have a 1.5-game cushion in fourth place and be just one game behind LA for third.
The Sparks, who won their first meeting with the Lynx by 16 points on Aug. 9, have been on a nine-game winning streak after starting the season at 3-3. The Lynx are 5-4 in their last nine contests after a 5-1 start. LA is currently tied with the Las Vegas Aces for second place and trail only the 13-3 Seattle Storm. Minnesota is fourth place in the standings, one-half game ahead of the Chicago Sky.
A Sparks win would put them in a tie for first place with the Storm — Seattle owns the head-to-head tiebreaker — and could also put the Lynx behind the Sky. In contrast, if Minnesota wins and Chicago loses, Minnesota will have a 1.5-game cushion in fourth place and be just one game behind LA for third.