Leslie’s Return Gives Sparks a Big Lift, 87-83

Lisa Leslie is back and the Sparks are ready to make their playoff run.

Leslie scored 19 points in her return after four weeks on the injured list as the Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx, 87-83, Thursday night in front of 8,379.

It was the 15th consecutive time the Sparks have beaten the Lynx, including seven in a row in Minneapolis.

“When we’re all together we can compete and win, but when pieces are missing it’s tough,” Leslie said.

The Sparks were 4-7 during Leslie’s absence after she bruised her right knee during the WNBA All-Star game.

“I think we were missing our leadership and people were forced to play different positions,” Leslie said. “But it was a good learning experience for all of us. We have two starting teams now.”

All-Star forward DeLisha Milton, playing for the first time since injuring her left ankle, had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Nikki Teasley had 15 points and 11 assists.

“It’s a great feeling having the group together, back as a unit. From a spiritual and emotional standpoint we feel a level of comfort,” Milton said.

“Now that we got our team healthy, we want to go into the playoffs on a run, not a limp,” said Spark Coach Michael Cooper, who was particularly impressed with the way Teasley managed the game and fed her teammates.

“Lady Magic is what I like to call her,” Cooper said. “She knows when to get the other players off and when to step up and take her shot.”

Svetlana Abrosimova scored 15 points and Katie Smith had 14 for Minnesota, which had its club-record winning streak at home end at seven games. The Lynx had 21 turnovers, leading to 17 points by the Sparks.

With four games left in the regular season, the magic number for the Lynx to make their first playoff appearance is four.

The Sparks trailed, 54-53, when Leslie received her fifth personal foul with just over 15 minutes remaining. By the time she returned, the Sparks had a 75-50 lead at the five-minute mark.

Milton led the way with Leslie on the bench, scoring six points during the stretch. Leslie returned to score six straight points and give the Sparks an 81-72 lead with 2:40 left.

The Lynx scored the next six points to close within 81-78 with 55 seconds left. Tamika Williams’ basket with 14 seconds left brought them to within 85-83, but Tamecka Dixon’s two free throws with eight seconds left clinched the victory.