Here’s something that you don’t see in every game – 20 players hit the floor, and 20 players scored. For the Minnesota Lynx, everyone needed to step up with Napheesa Collier and Olivia Époupa missing their second straight game. For Los Angeles, with over half the season in the books, the need to win is no less important and certainly more dire.
Minnesota looked as though they had regained some earlier form; better defense, much better shooting, and the energy with which they had begun the season. What is baffling about Los Angeles is that there is no lack of talent on the roster. In this game, however, only Dearica Hamby managed to get into double figures. Hamby has proven to be the lynchpin for the Sparks, but her shoulders can bear only so much.
Losing Cameron Brink for the season was a blow, and the absence of Lexie Brown and Stephanie Talbot has put a dent in their scoring capabilities. The Sparks also gave up 22 points off of 20 turnovers.
Minnesota Found Offense Sans Collier Against Los Angeles
The Lynx had a more balanced scoring attack, with Bridget Carleton leading the way with 16 points including 4-4 from three. Dorka Juhász, starting in place of Collier, ended with 15 points and provided consistency on the floor that speaks to how she has matured from her rookie season. Kayla McBride, while perhaps not having an abundant scoring game, still got the buckets, scoring 11, and Cecilia Zandalasini came off the bench and scored 11 as well.
While every team is most likely looking forward to the Olympic break, the Sparks, as well as every other team that has a single-digit win column, will have to come back much stronger if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Sparks, who have beaten defending champions Las Vegas twice, are in great need of some quality wins. The majority of their losses have been in single digits, so it has not been a season of regularly being blown out of the water.
went out with a SPARK 🎆 pic.twitter.com/QO2t5E1kGj
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 10, 2024
However, while watching the game, you can see a level of despondency creep over the team, a mental sluggishness that prevents the Sparks from leaping the hurdle. Minnesota, on the other hand, has weathered its own storm. Perhaps their seas are more navigable, but for whatever reason, the Lynx keep finding a way to maintain what has become a high level of quality.
This could be why Cheryl Reeve’s name is popping up more these days as a strong candidate for Coach of the Year. But the media loves to speculate, stir the pot, and generally create their own amusement regarding what goes on during the season. But that is a different article.
What is Next for the Sparks and Lynx?
The Sparks have two more games before the break, on the road in Dallas and at home to Seattle. Minnesota has three games; on the road at Seattle, whose number they’ve had so far this season, and then two at home, to Indiana and Atlanta. Will Coach Reeve sit Collier for the next few games to make sure she is ready for the All-Star contest and the Olympics? There is a high probability of that I would think.
We might see Époupa back, but if the rest of the team continues to step up, the additional rest will do her some good. Whatever the scenario, each team will want to get to the break on a high note. Let’s see who is the better singer.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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