(Minneapolis, MN) — Down 1-0 in a best-of-five series and in their final home game before hitting the road for Game 3, the Minnesota Lynx wanted to come into Game 2 firing on all cylinders. They were doing just that on Tuesday night in front of an announced crowd of 11,434 at Williams Arena. Minnesota bounced back to take Game 2 by a score of 70-68 and even the series at 1-1 heading back to Los Angeles.
The Lynx led by as much as 20 points in the game, but much like Minnesota did in Game 1, Los Angeles fought back to bring it down to a two-point game in the final seconds.
The Lynx ended up getting a game-winning stop on the defensive end to come away victorious.
“We did so many things well. . .Overall, we were a much better defensive team than we were in Game 1 and that’s how we won the game,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said after the game. “Look at the talent on both sides, look at what both teams believe in in terms of the intangibles. That’s why you get this. There’s great players on both sides and I think we are equally as hard to play against.
“We are both evenly matched and I think this is why we get these great games.”
It was a pretty balanced attack for the Lynx in the game, with all five starters reaching double-figures in scoring in the game.
Lindsay Whalen led the way with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists, Sylvia Fowles had 13 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks, Maya Moore had 13 points and five rebounds, Rebekkah Brunson had 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three blocks and Seimone Augustus added 11 points and two assists. Coming off the bench, Renee Montgomery added seven points and three rebounds.
“We had to continue to fight. Continue to stay engaged and locked in to each other and what was happening on the floor,” Maya Moore said postgame. “The game wasn’t perfect for us, there are things we want to do better and be more consistent, but when it came down to it, our defense won the game for us.”
Candace Parker finished with 17 points (all in the second half), six assists and five rebounds and Chelsea Gray had 15 points and four assists to lead Los Angeles. Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points and 13 rebounds, Odyssey Sims had 10 points and five assists and Essence Carson had nine points off the bench.
“We’re obviously thinking about Game 3 already and we know it’s going to be a fight. At this point in the series, it doesn’t matter where we play,” Parker said. “It’s going to be a fight.”
Now, with the series tied 1-1, both teams now basically see themselves in a best-of-three series heading into Game 3 on Friday night at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
“These are two teams that have brought it every night. There have been some tense moments, but this is what the Finals are all about. This is the best women’s basketball being played here right now,” Lindsay Whalen said. “Everybody on the court is such a threat on both teams. You have two great coaches and a lot of great players. . . This is what it’s all about. This is why we are all here playing is to play in these moments and these games.”
Player Of The Game
Tuesday night’s Lynx Player of the Game goes to the 2017 WNBA MVP, Sylvia Fowles.
Fowles finished with 13 points (shooting 5-for-9 from the field), 17 rebounds and two blocks in the game. Her 17 rebounds are a new WNBA Finals record.
Up Next
The Lynx will hit the road to take on the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at 7 p.m. (CT) at STAPLES Center.
(info/article courtesy of Minnesota Lynx webpage staff)