High Post Hoops
Fansided

WATCH: Chelsea Gray beats the buzzer against the Lynx

By Howard Megdal

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 20: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx on May 20, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 20: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx on May 20, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Another Los Angeles Sparks-Minnesota Lynx game, another classic.

The two 2017 (and 2016) WNBA finalists played to the final buzzer Sunday afternoon in Minnesota, with the Sparks earning a 77-76 win on the strength of a Chelsea Gray layup as time expired.

Watch as Gray wills herself to the hoop and finishes amid the excellent Lynx interior defense.

Gray not only scored 18 points, she dished out eight assists and collected six steals. It was the turnover battle, won by Los Angeles, that allowed the Sparks to overcome both the absence of Candace Parker, who missed the game with a lower back injury, and a 41-25 rebound advantage for Minnesota Sunday afternoon. It is worth considering Gray as every bit the franchise player in Los Angeles, along with Parker and Ogwumike.

The Sparks also did an excellent job limiting Sylvia Fowles’ touches all afternoon, keeping her to just ten attempts from the field. Still, Fowles finished with 15 points, as did Rebekkah Brunson, while Lindsay Whalen scored 17, dished out nine assists, and made what would have been the game-winning free throws, if not for Gray’s heroics.

If Gray sinking a game-winning shot seems familiar to you, it should: Gray scored 27, including the difference-making shot, to give Game 1 of the 2017 WNBA Finals to the Sparks.

More from Los Angeles Sparks

The game was not without fireworks one would expect from two teams that sure don’t like each other, with some pushing from Riquna Williams and Lindsay Whalen, and ancillary conversation between Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and Cappie Pondexter led to a quartet of technical fouls.

It is understandable that Reeve would be frustrated: her Lynx turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 24 times.

Fear not: these two will meet again. The Lynx head to Los Angeles to face the Sparks on June 3. The Sparks next make their way to Minnesota on July 5. And the two play again in Los Angeles on August 2.

And if today is any indication, they’ll play another five come playoff time, too.

Home/Minnesota Lynx