Napheesa Collier takes charge as Lynx rout Sparks 101-78

Napheesa Collier scored 32 points on 13-for-16 shooting, and the Minnesota Lynx pulled away for a 101-78 victory Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Collier also grabbed eight rebounds and dished six assists for Minnesota (10-1), which bounced back from its first loss of the season. Courtney Williams added 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting.

Kelsey Plum scored 20 points to lead Los Angeles (4-8), which fell short in its effort to post back-to-back wins for the first time. Rickea Jackson scored 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting, and Emma Cannon scored 14 points off the bench.

The Lynx shot 56.9 percent (41 of 72) overall and 41.4 percent (12 of 29) from 3-point range. The Sparks shot 41.4 percent (24 of 58) from the field and 53.3 percent (8 of 15) from deep.

Collier helped Minnesota jump to a 24-8 lead in the first seven-plus minutes. She made a short jump shot off an assist from Karlie Samuelson to put the Lynx on top by 16 points.

Bridget Carleton finished the first-quarter scoring with a 3-pointer to make it 34-15.

By halftime, the Lynx increased their lead to 58-26.

Courtney Williams started a 10-0 run with a jump shot and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter. Collier followed with a basket and a free throw, and she capped off the run with a jump shot from 7 feet.

A 6-0 run later in the second quarter increased the Lynx's lead to 64-33 with 6:23 remaining in the first half. Collier scored back-to-back layups during the run.

The Sparks outscored the Lynx 52-43 to chip into the deficit in the second half.

Alissa Pili and Natisha Hiedeman made back-to-back shots for the Lynx at the end of the third quarter. The baskets increased Minnesota's lead to 78-51.

Hiedeman made a basket during the final minute to put the Lynx past the 100-point mark.

--Field Level Media