MINNEAPOLIS: Nneka Ogwumike鈥檚 short jumper with 3.1 seconds left gave the Los Angeles Sparks a 77-76 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx for their first title in 14 years in the deciding game of the WNBA Finals.
The league MVP joined her teammates in celebration after finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Candace Parker had 28 points and 12 rebounds to earn MVP honors of the Finals. It was Parker鈥檚 first WNBA title.
鈥淪he鈥檚 been through so much,鈥� Ogwumike said of Parker. 鈥淪he鈥檚 probably the most misunderstood person in the league. I told her I wanted her to get one. She had an awesome game tonight. She鈥檚 been our leader.鈥�
Rebekkah Brunson made one of two free throws with 23 seconds left to give the Lynx a 74-73 lead. Parker answered with a layup on the other end that Maya Moore countered with a jumper with 15 seconds remaining. Ogwumike鈥檚 first try for the win was off the mark, but she worked her way over to the loose ball for another attempt that she coolly swished.
Lindsay Whalen鈥檚 final shot from just inside halfcourt wasn鈥檛 close, setting off Los Angeles鈥� celebration as Parker and Sparks owner Magic Johnson embraced in a long hug.
Johnson spoke to the team after the loss at home in Game 4 on Sunday. His presence in Minnesota was all the more impressive considering the Dodgers, the other pro club he鈥檚 invested in, were playing baseball in Los Angeles at the same time in Game 5 of their National League championship series.
鈥淚 told them the series wasn鈥檛 over and that there was still a Game 5 to be played. They had to believe they could do it on a tough home court. This team Minnesota is tremendous,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淲e just beat the champions so I give them a lot of credit to. Our leaders led us and we had a great coach in Brian and they believed all season long. I told them this was their year. I wanted them to do it for Candace Parker. She deserves to be a champion. Great group of ladies.鈥�
Moore had 23 points and 11 assists for the Lynx, who fell short of matching the WNBA record of four championships. The Houston Comets won four straight titles from 1997-2000.
The Lynx played in the finals for the fifth time in the last six years. They won three.
Parker finally had help with the scoring when reserve Chelsea Gray reeled off 11 consecutive points for the Sparks. Gray capped that run with a smooth up-and-under layup to put them in front 60-59 early in the fourth quarter. Parker鈥檚 putback with 3:06 left gave L.A. a 71-63 lead, putting the Lynx in trouble.
But Moore seized the moment with a 3-pointer that brought Minnesota within four points, and Parker forced an off-balance 3 on the other end.
Whalen stole the ball from Kristi Toliver and finished the fast break with a layup to tie the game at 71, setting up the final flurry.
On the next play, Ogwumike hit a jumper that appeared to come after the shot clock expired. The officials signaled for a review, but never looked at the basket and Los Angeles led 73-71 with just over a minute left.
The WNBA鈥檚 new postseason format with the field ordered by overall record regardless of conference worked well, leading to this classic matchup 鈥� there were 11 lead changes and six ties in the first half alone 鈥� between the two teams that vied all summer for the top seeding and featuring several of the league鈥檚 biggest stars.