Lynx Bench Shines in 91-82 Win Over Sparks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 91-82, powered by a dominant bench effort and strong third quarter. Natisha Hiedeman led all bench scorers with 18 points, while Napheesa Collier added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Minnesota improves to 18-3, while Sparks drop to 6-14 after committing 22 costly turnovers.
Quick Looks
- Natisha Hiedeman scores 18 off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting
- Napheesa Collier posts 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
- Minnesota bench outscores Sparks’ reserves 30-16 in the first half
- Lynx shoot 56.5% in the third quarter, outscoring L.A. 30-19
- Courtney Williams adds 16 points, 7 assists; Alanna Smith scores 15
- Minnesota holds off late Sparks rally to seal the win
- Julie Vanloo hits 5 threes for 15 points; Kelsey Plum has 17 and 12 assists
- Rickea Jackson adds 14 points; Dearica Hamby contributes 12
- Sparks commit 22 turnovers, leading to 23 Lynx points
- Lynx bounce back from loss at Phoenix to improve to 18-3
Deep Look
The Minnesota Lynx continued their march through the WNBA’s 2025 season with a gritty, balanced, and tactically sound 91-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night. After a rare slip-up against Phoenix just 24 hours earlier, the Lynx came into Los Angeles with a point to prove — and did so emphatically, powered by a dominant bench, elite passing, and suffocating third-quarter defense.
At the heart of the victory was Natisha Hiedeman, whose 18-point performance off the bench not only led all scorers but completely changed the game’s tempo. Entering as a spark plug, Hiedeman shot 6-of-9 from the floor, nailed a pair of threes, and provided relentless energy during a critical first-half stretch that gave Minnesota a double-digit cushion.
The game began with a back-and-forth pace, as the Sparks looked eager to exploit the Lynx on the second night of a back-to-back. But Napheesa Collier, who finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, kept the Lynx steady on both ends. Her late first-half step-back jumper capped a 50-40 halftime lead — a momentum-defining shot that seemed to sap Los Angeles’ defensive intensity just before the break.
Minnesota’s bench unit scored 30 points in the first half alone, with Hiedeman, Alanna Smith, and Courtney Williams all producing efficient, unselfish basketball. That energy spilled into the third quarter, where Minnesota unleashed its most dominant stretch of the night.
The Lynx outscored the Sparks 30-19 in the third, shooting an eye-popping 56.5% (13-of-23) from the field. At one point, they extended their lead to 80-53 after a smooth Collier layup with 44 seconds remaining in the quarter.
But the Sparks weren’t ready to concede. Los Angeles mounted a furious response, ending the third quarter on a 6-0 run, then ripping off the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 80-70. Suddenly, a game that looked like a blowout became a test of Minnesota’s resolve.
This is where championship-caliber teams separate from the pack.
Minnesota responded with poise: Smith drained a clutch three-pointer from the corner to push the lead back to 87-73 with 3:42 remaining, and Courtney Williams added critical drives and mid-range buckets to keep the Sparks at bay. Williams ended her night with 16 points and 7 assists, showcasing her veteran leadership and ability to command the floor in high-pressure moments.
Alanna Smith, too, played a key two-way role, finishing with 15 points, several hustle rebounds, and a pair of defensive stops that helped cool the Sparks’ rally.
The Sparks, on the other hand, showed flashes of offensive brilliance but were ultimately undone by sloppy execution and turnovers. Los Angeles committed 22 turnovers, which turned into 23 Minnesota points — a margin too large to overcome, especially against an opponent as deep and disciplined as the Lynx.
Still, there were bright spots for L.A. — Kelsey Plum’s 17 points and season-high 12 assists provided a blueprint for offensive organization, and Julie Vanloo continued her sharpshooting campaign with 15 points on five 3-pointers. Rickea Jackson and Dearica Hamby chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively, giving the Sparks multiple scoring threats.
However, the lack of composure in critical moments and inconsistent defense has plagued Los Angeles all season, now sitting at 6-14 and in danger of losing touch with the playoff picture.
What This Win Means for Minnesota
For the Lynx (18-3), this win was more than just a return to form — it was a reminder that they possess one of the deepest, most adaptable rosters in the league. Collier continues to perform at an MVP-caliber level, but it’s the secondary pieces — like Hiedeman and Smith — who elevate the Lynx into true title contention.
Their ability to execute at both ends, adjust to opposing runs, and find different scoring avenues each night makes them one of the hardest teams to game-plan against. With strong veteran leadership, elite coaching, and bench players producing starter-level impact, Minnesota looks built for a long postseason run.
What’s Next for the Sparks?
The Sparks, meanwhile, need to address some foundational issues. While individual performances are improving, turnover control, transition defense, and second-unit depth remain glaring weaknesses. The team’s inexperience is showing in late-game situations, and unless they can string together a few wins quickly, their season may slip beyond saving.
Head coach Curt Miller will need to find lineup combinations that reduce mental errors and get more consistent defensive stops — particularly during momentum-swinging third quarters, where L.A. has routinely struggled.
The season isn’t lost, but time is running out.
Lynx Bench Shines Lynx Bench Shines
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