How to watch Sparks at Lynx: Minnesota looks to bounce back after first loss of 2025
The Minnesota Lynx are no longer undefeated, but they are very much still the team to beat in the West. The Western Conference reigning champs look to bounce back after their first loss of 2025 when they fell to the Seattle Storm 94-84 on Wednesday. The Lynx are home favorites on Saturday in their matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks. Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier and LA guard Kelsey Plum are first and second in the league, respectively, in points per game through the opening quarter of the season.
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Minnesota jumped out to a 9-0 start, and all but one of those wins were by multiple possessions. Then came Wednesday's tilt with the Storm, who hit the Lynx with tossed salad and scrambled eggs in Seattle. Cheryl Reeve's squad was up by one at halftime and wound up losing by 10. That result could sway the Commissioner's Cup, as Minnesota and Seattle are now tied atop the West with 3-1 in-season tournament marks. Only one team from each conference advances to the July 1 finale.
Still, good vibes abound in the North Star State. Collier is the early favorite for league MVP, absolutely balling, with 50.6/40.6/92.6 shooting splits on career-high volume. The incumbent Defensive Player of the Year scored player of the month honors in May, and she leads all players in win shares so far. Elsewhere on the Lynx, Kayla McBride is intergalactic from long range, with more made 3s than missed ones on a full seven tries per game. Courtney Williams feeds (not feasts, though she does that too) with 6.4 assists per game this season. The team ranks in the top three in offensive and defensive ratings, and they are blowing the doors off opponents at home.
If there's one thing that Minnesota is not at the top of, though, it's pace. The Lynx play with the slowest pace in the W, maximizing possessions and moving off the ball with patience.
The Sparks will try to increase the tempo on Saturday, which will start with Plum (at point guard). The All-WNBA playmaker arrives at this matchup carrying the highest scoring average and usage rate of her eight pro seasons.
Los Angeles is third in points per game but 10th in points allowed. The crafty and versatile Dearica Hamby will challenge Collier around the block, and Rickea Jackson will try to reroute a turbulent sophomore year with another focused effort Saturday. She had her best line of 2025 last time out — a career-high 30 points, which included four made 3s Wednesday in Las Vegas. But her numbers are still down across the board, and stout Minnesota is a challenging place to generate momentum.
Best player to wear both jerseys: Seimone Augustus. The Hall of Famer was drafted first overall by the Lynx in 2006. After a decorated 14-year run in Minnesota, she took a last dance in Los Angeles in 2020.
Streaming, betting and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Napheesa Collier: Ellen Schmidt / Getty Images)
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