The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 in a high-intensity WNBA contest at Target Center on July 16, 2026. The victory extended Minnesota’s home winning streak to five games and highlighted their balanced offensive attack against a determined Sparks squad that refused to go quietly in the fourth quarter.

Match Summary

From the opening tip, the Lynx established control with crisp ball movement and aggressive rim attacks. Minnesota shot 52% from the field in the first half and built a 51-40 lead by intermission. The Sparks responded after the break, trimming the deficit to just four points midway through the third quarter behind strong play from Dearica Hamby. However, the Lynx answered with a 12-2 run to re-establish a double-digit cushion heading into the final frame.

Los Angeles made one last push late in the fourth, closing to within six points with under two minutes remaining, but Minnesota’s veteran composure at the free-throw line sealed the outcome. The Lynx converted 22 of 26 free throws overall, while the Sparks managed just 14 attempts.

Standout Performances

• Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, recording her seventh double-double of the season. She shot 10-of-17 from the floor and was a constant threat in the pick-and-roll.
• Kayla McBride added 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range, keeping the Sparks’ defense honest on the perimeter.
• For the Sparks, Dearica Hamby posted 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Zia Cooke chipped in 19 points off the bench, providing a much-needed scoring spark when the starters struggled.

Tactical Story

Minnesota’s game plan centered on attacking the paint early, forcing the Sparks to collapse their defense and opening up kick-out opportunities for shooters. The Lynx outscored Los Angeles 48-38 in the paint and dished out 27 assists on 38 made field goals. Defensively, they switched aggressively on screens, limiting the Sparks’ perimeter looks to just 32% from deep.

The Sparks, meanwhile, generated offense through second-chance points (18) and fast breaks (15), but costly turnovers (14) prevented them from sustaining momentum. Los Angeles head coach Curt Miller noted after the game, “We battled, but you can’t give a team like Minnesota extra possessions and expect to win.”

Standings and Season Impact

With the win, the Lynx improved to 12-5 and moved into second place in the WNBA standings, trailing only the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. The Sparks fell to 8-9, sitting seventh in the playoff race. For Minnesota, this victory underscored their depth and home-court advantage as they approach the midseason mark.