Lynx’s fast start beats Dream, keeps playoff hopes alive

The Minnesota Lynx saved their playoff hopes alive on Thursday night time, utilizing a quick begin to earn a 92-85 win over the Atlanta Dream.

Minnesota got here out of the gates on fireplace, leaping out in entrance due to a game-high 25 factors from Aerial Powers and a double-double (12 factors, 14 rebounds) from Sylvia Fowles, nevertheless it was some unfamiliar faces that made the distinction.

Moriah Jefferson got here alive for Minnesota, taking pictures 6-for-8 on her strategy to 14 factors and 7 assists and Kayla McBride added 11 factors to construct a 23-point lead within the second quarter.

The Dream made a late run behind 24 factors from Tiffany Hayes, however regardless of reducing the lead right down to 89-83 with 22 seconds to play the Lynx have been in a position to maintain on for the win.

The victory places Minnesota two video games behind the Phoenix Mercury for the WNBA’s eighth and last playoff spot, however the sixth by means of ninth spots within the playoffs have been separated by only a half-game getting into Thursday and will get shuffled once more by the top of the night time. 

The Mercury will play the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Sparks later this night whereas the seventh-seeded Dallas Wings host the Washington Mystics.

For now, the Lynx should deal with their very own enterprise as they will journey to Los Angeles to face the Sparks on Sunday night time.