Leslie Scores 29 as Sparks Capitalize on Missing Lynx

After losing much of their rhythm and cadence 24 hours earlier at Salt Lake City, the Sparks got it all back and then some Friday night in a rousing 77-59 victory over the Minnesota Lynx.

The Sparks (17-7) outscored the Lynx 42-19 in the second half to maintain their two-game lead over the Sacramento Monarchs (16-10) in their battle for second place in the Western Conference.

If second-place Los Angeles maintains its 2 to 3-game lead over Sacramento over the regular season’s final eight games, the Sparks will finish with a better record than the third-place Monarchs and would play them in a one-game playoff game Aug. 24 at the Forum.

This assumes Houston continues to run away with the West title.

Before 11,097 at Target Center, Spark center Lisa Leslie had 29 points and 15 rebounds in 34 minutes. She had nine points and eight rebounds Thursday night in an 81-75 loss to the Utah Starzz.

After her most productive game this season and maybe for her WNBA career, Leslie spoke of the gathering excitement the Sparks are feeling about their run toward the playoffs.

“We’re definitely playing well right now and this is definitely the best shape we’ve ever been in this late in the season,” said Leslie, who was on last season’s team that went 12-18 and didn’t make the playoffs.

The Sparks also got a lift from first-year guard Ukari Figgs, who left the team Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Purdue teammate Tiffany Young, killed Saturday in an auto accident. Figgs rejoined the team in Minneapolis Friday afternoon.

Figgs had only two points, two assists and a steal in 17 minutes but was the first player Coach Orlando Woolridge praised afterward.

In the second half, Figgs went to the floor for a loose ball twice within several seconds and got it, bringing her teammates on the bench to their feet.

“With all respect to Lisa, who had a great game tonight, our MVP was Figgs,” Woolridge said.

“To go through what she’s been through, to fly in here today and with no practice, for her to play as hard as she did tonight, she showed everyone what professional sports is all about.”

Minnesota scored the last five points of the first half for a 40-35 lead at the break. The Sparks took a 57-56 lead with 11:37 left and then scored the next 16 points. The Lynx didn’t score until Trish Fallon made a three-point basket with 1:15 left.