Sparks edge Lynx in WNBA Finals opener

The LA Sparks have taken a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals, beating Minnesota 78-76.

Los Angeles Sparks center Jantel Lavender hugs guard Alana Beard

The Los Angeles Sparks have beaten Minnesota 78-76 to take a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals. (AAP)

Alana Beard scored on the buzzer to lift the Los Angeles Sparks to a 78-76 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the opening game of the WNBA Finals.

With the defence collapsing on Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike in the paint, Beard was all alone in the corner.

She took the pass with two seconds remaining from Chelsea Gray and knocked down jumper with a hand in her face to break the 76-all deadlock.

As the ball splashed through, Moore put her head in her hands, and the Sparks celebrated a thrilling victory, their second on Minnesota's court this season.

Kristi Toliver scored 19 points to lead Los Angeles and Parker had 14 points and nine rebounds in her finals debut and MVP Nneka Ogwumike added 19 points for the Sparks in the opener of the best-of-five series.

Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Lindsay Whalen scored 18 points for top-seeded Minnesota.


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Source: AAP



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