l.a., 2-2, still missing some key horses. half. minnesota comes back to retake the and the final six to shoot. robinson gives it up. three to shoot. collier barrels in, lost the seconds of the third quarter, it's williams, i guess when ball. you're feeling it, you're and williams comes up with it, feeling it. turnover number 21 for >> they say heat check. i don't know if that was a heat minnesota. third time this year. check. when you're feeling it, you're feeling it. they've topped 20 turnovers. she understood time and decided robinson just bangs that out of bounds. she was going to pull up and take that j. >> 7 of 16 from the field. and 11 to shoot. 4 of 9 from behind the arc. for l.a. 8 1-76, now a four-point game. 1:15 to go. how do you explain this shot by now odyssey sims ande bench lexie brown? >> prayer, living right. i'm not sure. you know what, i love the fact for minnesota. that she shot it and when it >> rebecca: you would think went in, she looked at her within seconds, though, she teammates like i knew it was good when i let it go. would be coming back in, particularly on the offensive >> down the end. >> ryan: gray hits the jumper. gray, so many big shots, she buries it from inside the you know you think about the free-throw line. and off the set inbounds, what a five that would normally good-looking play. >> you know, players always get the credit for sho game like this for minnesota.

whalen, brunson, augustus, t derek sher dre up where the bo moore, only one of them is in go. he knew chelsea gray was hot and uniform today. she never let us down. collier misfires, ogwumike >> in the books of wnba big shot secures the rebound. takers and makers, you're at the top of the list. i want you to explain the mentality that chelsea gray has, five-point l.a. lead. not only in this rivalry, but a williams has 23 points. player as a whole. through the pass, too tough. when the game is on the line. what's the mentality of the sims, in transition. player when you're taking that the pirouette, the dish, and shot? >> for me it's not just about shepard was fouled. that moment. but your teammates also ruffin-pratt on the foul. understand who we need to get the ball to. and shepard appears to be shaken and it's about running plays, setting screens, using the screen and coming up. but in chelsea gray's case, i'm sure the confidence was up. she was like, i've done this last year, year before, year shepard grabbing that right leg. before that. this is what i do in big moments, big-time players step up in big-time moments she knew the game was on the line she knew they needed to score. she wanted to takehe sanend it fantastic finish in what we've talked about maybe the best rivalry in the league. maybe in the history of the

league, these two terms in recent years all the fabulous meetings that they've had in the come down. postseason here. how good is it for the sport, and maybe a little -- could it how good is it for the league as a whole to have these two teams playing on national television? have been a hyperextension of >> okay, so kevin here's what the right knee? i'm going to say this rivalry is incredible. i think it's really good. but to me, the best rivalry in a hush falls over the crowd. the history of the league would be the houston comets and the new york liberty. as jessica shepard is tended to. >> okay. >> i have to put that out there. a lot of people may not agree. but we had some batt fun going by athletic trainer church them. i do think having a rivalries, not just the lynx and the sparks, i think there are some barta. up-and-coming rivalries, i think shepard has been impressive the storm and the aces, storm today with her grit, passing and the mercury. i think there are, there's so ability. she gets up on one foot and is much talent in the league today, helped to the locker room by that teams are going to start saying, this is who we want to play and they get hype and they get up for those games, just chuck barta. her play reminiscent like the lynx and sparks rivalry. >> i love that you hit on the talent in the league. it's one thing to come into the game and you look at the l.a. roster and say there's a good chance we're going 0 it see one of the ogwumike sisters with a

big game today. chelsea gray, we've talked mccarvele. >> rebecca: particularly at an about. we didn't expect riquna williams elbow area of the floor and to do anything like she did we've seen today, and throughout today, 25 points in this game. the early part of the season, how about the impact she can have on the team moving forward? just what shepard brings, a terrific passer, she can shoot >> obviously i think rebecca and from the perimeter. ryan they talked about it today. high energy player. there's obviously things going they're going to miss her on the on with riquna williams off the court but the fact that she's stretch of one. able to put these things aside now l.a. is able to choose a and come out and play player from minnesota. basketball, that's what pros do. and as you said, she was to shoot these free throws. incredible. riquna coming into the league, people knew what she was capable shepard was unable to take them. of doing. she's had some ups and downs, to the sparks can choose any player come in and knock down some huge on the lynx to shoot the free threes, attack the basket. throws, any active player. draw fouls, go to the free-throw line. rebounding, assisting, she did it all. from the time she came in off the bench until the game was they will have to take these two over, she gave the sparks the free throws, we send our best lift that thee the needed. wishes to jessica shepard. i think a huge reason hopefully she makes a swift recovery from whatever injury why they were able to pull off was just suffered. the win. >> minnesota not only loses the game. jessica shepard left the game, sylvia fowles is coming into the fabulous rookie, left the game. taken off the court by the game. and she is going to shoot these free throws. trainer. what kind of an impact can an

injury like that have on the team? >> as you said, hopefully we not sure it would have been my wish her the best. choice if i was l.a. it's not too serious. during that game there was a moment where sylvia fowles fowles misses the first. wasn't even in the game and you had collier and shepard, two what do i know? rookies, uconn and notre dame, you had two rookies playing well >> rebecca: that was the right call, i guess. together and jess shepard brings >> ryan: fowles misses the a lift for minnesota off the bench. she's capable of scoring, first. misses the second. attacking the basket. maybe that time on the bench as but maybe an emotional leader. well. ended up the right decision for she rebounds the basketball. and even as a rookie, she stepped in and not that she's the sparks. trying to fill any shoes, she about 90 seconds togo.five. ra stepped in and did incredible things for them. hopefully the injury is not too serious, she'll be able to come back. if she's out minnesota will have to look to someone else to take williams. and that is going to put minnesota back at the line. up where she left off. >> which of the two teams has lexie brown will have a chance more upside? to shoot two. >> wow. you're putting me on the spot here. obviously l.a.ho candacht andnabed.th have a l c >> rebecca: great hustle by lexie brown. towards ty ve l that's a tough call for riquna

williams. t i'm g wit have se yat havt o y lexie brown just tripped over her legs. >> ryan: big free throws here after foul number four on fabulous afternoon fm insidecen williams. that one drops for brown. the wnba is celebrating equality and inclusion during pride month. with games on abc and espn and lisa whalen. it's l.a. that comes away with pride night in local markets, the win. coming up next, "world news support pride, support your team. tonight" or your local news, get your tickets today at wnba except on the west coast. for sheryl swoopes, i'm kevin conners, have a good saturday. name/tickets. offensive rebound for minnesota. fowles wants it. ogwumike denies it. l.a. with one time-out remaining, minnesota with two. ibigger, tastier strips spicy chof juicy chickenbo. lynx are in the bonus. foul to . with crunchy batter. spice them up with hot sauce or cool them down with buttermilk ranch. 1:18 to go. try my 100% all-white meat sims with, two to shoot.ce u spicy chicken strips combo today. only at jack in the box. a avel befor she it once she tat

whether or not this shot was off in time for lexie brown, who is having a career day. they'll see whether or not this is a shot clock violation. >> rebecca: to the naked eye, it looked like she got it off in time. they cannot review it to see whether or not she traveled. they can only review to see if she got it off in time and clearly, it's not even close. >> ryan: let's see whether or not she traveled before. >> rebecca: i think she kept the right foot down. >> ryan: it look like she did, because it was sort of unorthodox. but -- >> rebecca: she benefitted from being a lefty. so i'm looking for someone to make tastier... bigger, i was literally born for this. defense is all over her right ♪ hand. she was able to get it off to

you had me at fried chicken pacifier. the left. >> ryan: it's clearly out of her try my new spicy chicken strips combo today. hand in time. she'll be a speedy review. with 100% all-white meat chicken. >> rebecca: these should always be speedy reviews, ryan and they never are. that's pretty good, though. - [announcer] the following is a paid presentation that's pretty speedy. brought to you by tristar products incorporated. it wasn't roadrunner speedy, but speedy enough. - hey everybody it's emeril with huge news. we're introducing an all new pro-grade appliance >> ryan: i love when you and van gundy are on the same page. that now you can have at your home. the three is good, career highs so, get ready to kick it up notch. (cheering) and field goals made. threes made and points for lexie - [announcer] we all loved fried foods, but we hate all the health problems that they can cause. brown. what if you could make your favorite fried foods it's a one-point game with 1:10 without so much of the unhealthy fat and calories. to go. >> rebecca: typically this time now you can. of the game when l.a. is introducing emeril lagasse's all new power airfryer 360. playing, it becomes time for chelsea gray to do what chelsea the air fryer with quick cook turbo heat technology gray does in late moments. that fries with air, not oil, giving you delicious, crunchy, crispy results fast with up to 70% less calories ball in her hands. from fat versus deep frying. one minute to go. the airflow racks mean you can cook up to 450% more chineyback. than a traditional air fryer.

ten to shoot. airfry steak and fries in 20 minutes. gray on the penetration. but with 12 cooking presets this is her jumper is good. exactly as you called it, partner. and a time-out taken by minnesota. >> rebecca: you saw minnesota continually running doubles at chelsea gray to try to get the basketball out of her hands, they know like the rest of the league knows she can be one of the most dangerous players to have the ball in crunch time. she still -- she still was able to get it back and drain it. this is the shot we just saw. sims gets caught up a bit on the screen. but we've seen this more than once, ryan. >> ryan: this rivalry, chelsea gray has delivered plenty of times. whether it was the finals or last year's regular-season opener, chelsea gray has

certainly burned bad memories into the minds of minnesota fans. three-point game. each team with one time-out remaining. minnesota has a foul to give, l.a. is over the limit. le. sims, being patient. fowles nearly lost it. too. 12 to shoot, collier open and off by three, offensive board denied officially and a loose ball foul against gray, which is going to send collier to the line. >> rebecca: great effort, first a the the tap for sylvia fowles to keep the basketball alive and the pursuit by collier. to get into the free-throw line.

>> ryan: collier misses the first and minnesota after being terrific from the line, for most of the game, they have struggled in the fourth quarter. they made 17 of their first 18. they're just 20 of 26 now.ea fo. eight-second difference, game and shot clock. minnesota can play this straight up. hope for a stop and a score. gray, patient.t. back into the arms of gray. seeking a dagger, gray's jumper -- short. airball out of bounds. last hit they'll say l.a. but they're going to review this. and it at least initially hit a member of the lynx. we'll see if it deflected off of l.a. >> rebecca: it looks like it

went off lexie brown's hand from our eye across the court. they're going to take a look at this. once they -- put the headset on. now roy cobain does. you're right, rebecca, lexie brown slapping, i think it lasted the right hand of lexie brown. but the other hand s to overturn what was called on the floor? i think so. >> rebecca: i think so as well. >> ryan: if that's the case, it would be los angeles ball under the hoop. with two to shoot. and 10.7 remaining on the game clock. it is incredible. every time these teams play, you

get drama. there's another angle. it looks like it pretty clearly hits the right hand of brown last and thus will be l.a. ball. pretty good look at it right there. here to look the last angle seemed fairly definitive. maybe they're just trying to make sure they get the clock right at this point. and that is what's happening. there should be probably about 11 seconds, maybe 11.1 remaining and two on the shot clock. it is indeed los angeles basketball.

clock will be seconds remaining. two on the shot clock. minnesota does have one time-out remaining. l.a. leading by two. lacking to somehow make this a two-possession game off a swift inbounds. two remaining on the shot clock. ruffin-pratt into gray -- she got it. chelsea gray firing daggers left and right. it's a two-possession lead for los angeles. >> rebecca: great play drawn up by derek fisher. e liribit.he screen for s go chelsea gray comes back. you have to help a smidge right there as soon as sims does, it gives chelsea gray just the space sheneeded. and -- how many times have we

seen this out of chelsea gray over and over? she's just going to deliver. >> ryan: chelsea gray, banged up late in the third quarter. was out at the beginning of the fourth. rebecca you said they need her back in those crunchtime moments, you said for them to ride her, that's what they've done. you nailed it, partner, she scored the last eight points for the los angeles sparks. >> rebecca: chelsea gray is such a tough player to guard at her position. she's big and strong and has a little fade-away. even if you're in great defensive position, she's going to get the shot off. she has the mentality to will the basketball in. >> ryan: now minnesota down four. they have no time-outs remaining. you could go a quick two, but you like to go three in this situation? >> rebecca: i think you, do i think you try to get the quick three and foul.reinin spa a

four-point lead. >> rebecca: inbounding to collier. >> ryan: fowles needing help. clock winding, clock fadingay i seconds remaining. inbound goes to gray and gray is fouled with 1.2 left. gray hits these free throws. and that will officially ice it. either way going to be very difficult for minnesota. at this point with the lynx out of time-outs. >> ryan: gray hits the first. one more free throw, to officially ice it for los angeles. now what are they looking at

here? oh, it's not a shooting foul. minnesota was not over the limit. they had one foul to give. so the officials lined up to shoot, gray did. but it wasn't a shooting foul. so now a time-out taken by derek fisher on this inbounds. >> rebecca: just paramount that you don't let minnesota steal the basketball and launch a three. how is your flight looking, ryan? >> ryan: i don't know what you're talking about.

>> rebecca: there's not many players in the wnba when the game is on the line, that you would want to have the ball more than you wantate hef. she can hit tough shots. and she's done it time and time again for the l.a. sparks. and if they come away with a win in this game it will be because of the play down the stretch of chelsea gray. >> ryan: gray has been huge in this fourth quarter. final eight points for the sparks. see if they can get the inbound done and evade a foul. ruffin-pratt gets it in. williams is fouled with .1 of a second remaining. and this is all cosmetic at this point. the sparks are going to have held off the lynx, they'll move to one game over .500 and

minnesota, just their second loss of this young season. minnesota has been one of the surprises how well they've played early. despite no maya moore, seimone augustus and lindsay whalen retired. derek fisher and cheryl reeve shake hands, williams big game off the bench. 25 points and that will do it. the los angeles sparks outlast the minnesota lynx final. and the los angeles sparks come away the victors in what was another terrific incarnation of this rivalry. >> rebecca: just what we expected. the faces may change, but the t. great rivalry game and chelsea gray doing what she does. >> ryan: let's check in with holly rowe. >> holly: chel say, you take a

hard blow to the head, you mirs part of the third quarter. how did you come back on fire in the fourth quarter? >> a hard effort by our team. while i was out, i didn't know what was going on. i was in the back a little bit. but we got down, got stops, they got some easy putbacks, so we got for them to get better in that area. but also it's an awesome win for us, we're going home with a win, so i'm excited about that. >> holly: what is it but and the dagger shots you continue to hit against your greatest rivals the lynx. >> some of the best players have the ball in their hands. i'm taking it in stride and my teammates have confidence in me and i was able to knock it down. >> holly: it gives your team a winning record and a win on this court for playoff consideration, how important was this for evere a mini series, right now we're 1-0 with minnesota. and just really proud of our effort in coming into ayoff atm every time we step on the floor.

proud of their fight and consistency. >> holly >> ryan: thank you very much, holly rowe. rebecca lobo here. rebecca, even though there may be some key pieces missing from both of these teams, clearly the dance moves are not affected at all. and more importantly we see these teams are always still so competitive, they play a high level of basketball and chelsea gray, the difference down the stretch for l.a. >> rebecca: i think both coaches have to feel good about what the good things are that their teams are doing. this ball game simply came down need the big plays, she's able to come through. i'm intrigued by both of these teams, one, minnesota has such a different roster. how the young group is going to continue to mature together. with l.a., the big piece wh the get parker back and

leed yan: nnota. that will do it for us here at target center. a back-and-forth game that began with lindsay whalen's jersey being raised to the rafters, we'll be back on abc next sunday with seattle and connecticut for our producer ian grucka and our director, holly rowe, rebecca lobo, i'm ryan ruocco. let's go back to the studio now with hall of famer sheryl swoopes. >> thanks so much. another nail-biter in this fantastic rivry sherylswoopes, you called it re never disapoins, the rivalry lives on. chelsea gray, you know holly said it, the gray le legacy lives on. chelsea gray was phenomenal down the stretch and riquna williams, i thought the second half she continued just where she left off in the first half. the two of them alone were the

reason why l.a. was able to win this game today. >> big difference-makers, we'll talk about both of them in a minute if you're just-on-ing us, here's how it went down inside the target center. lynx and sparks on a special day. where they raised the number 13 jersey of lindsay whalen to the rafters, at the target center. riquna williams, you talked about her from the elbow drills the three, she was feeling >>iquna williams, i don't know, she, threes, she was the