L.A. Sparks Win WNBA Finals After Insane Final Two Minutes

The Los Angeles Sparks took down the mighty Minnesota Lynx in a wild Game 5 this evening to win the franchise’s third championship. The last two minutes of the game were an incredible back-and-forth affair; Lindsey Whalen tied it up at 71 with 1:47 left, then Nneka Ogwumike gave the Sparks the lead back with a basket that came after the shot clock and shouldn’t have counted. Officials intended to review it, but were legally unable to, since play continued.

After Minnesota took the lead on a long jumper and a Rebekkah Brunson free throw, L.A. got the ball back with 19 seconds left and no timeouts. They ran a beautiful play to get Candace Parker an easy bucket, but Minnesota once again responded and Maya Moore got loose for an uncontested jumper. Without the ability to inbound the ball, all Chelsea Gray could manage was a contested leaner in traffic. It clanked off the rim, but Ogwumike rebounded the miss, collected it again after she got stuffed, and nailed a fallaway winner. Minnesota missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer, and it was over.

After the game, Parker dedicated the win to Pat Summitt, and was so overcome with emotion she could barely talk.

[ESPN]