For 2nd year, Lynx return home for Game 5 against Sparks

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - For the second straight year, the WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks is headed to a decisive Game 5 on the Lynx home court. 

On the edge of elimination, the Lynx forced a Game 5 with their 80-69 win over the Sparks in Los Angeles Sunday night. The final game will take place in Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

One year ago, the Sparks won that fifth game on the Lynx home court at Target Center. But this time around, forward Maya Moore says she’s looking for a different outcome. 

“We are so fortunate to be back in this position,” Moore said after the team arrived back at MSP Airport Monday night. “We worked so hard during this series to bring it back home and take advantage of home court advantage. [We’re] just really, again, excited to have one more shot to reach our dream in front of our home fans.”

In Game 4, the Lynx were leading almost wire-to-wire behind a game-high 22 points and some impressive defense from center Sylvia Fowles. The Sparks made a late push, but couldn’t get closer than eight points.

“[It was] really satisfying to play the way we did on the road in front of a lot of Sparks fans and against a really physical, tough Sparks team,” Moore said. “It just feels good to build momentum going into Game Five.”

The Lynx are hoping to earn their fourth WNBA title Wednesday night. This is their sixth WNBA Finals appearance in the last seven years.