Sparks’ Win Is Benchmark Day

The Sparks’ reserves made a difference Sunday, accounting for 37 points in an 83-67 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at Minneapolis.

The Sparks (9-6) had six players in double figures, led by Mwadi Mabika’s 20 points.

But what stood out for L.A. Coach Michael Cooper was the contribution from his bench, including 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds from rookie Christi Thomas, 11 points from Tamecka Dixon and 10 points from Tamika Whitmore. Reserve guard Teresa Weatherspoon had two points to round out the Spark bench scoring in front of 7,123 at the Target Center.

“I think they took a big step into forming their own identity,” Cooper said of his reserves. “I call them my ‘Goon Squad.’ There’s no doubt that our bench is going to be the key for us to win the title.”

Minnesota (5-8), which suffered its third consecutive loss, started out well, forcing eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes to take a 21-14 lead.

Dixon and Whitmore accounted for the Sparks’ next 12 points, with Dixon’s jump shot putting L.A. ahead, 26-24.

Katie Smith gave the Lynx the lead back with a three-point basket on the next possession, but it was her only field goal of the game. Minnesota’s leading scorer, with a 17.4-point average, Smith finished with five points on one-for-three shooting.

“I just didn’t get the ball in a lot of good spots, and they played good defense,” Smith said.

Lynx Coach Suzie McConnell Serio, whose team was led by Nicole Ohlde’s 19 points and seven rebounds, wasn’t as quick to credit the defense on Smith.

“At times Katie removes herself from the offense and lets other players take over,” McConnell Serio said. “I thought she was very passive offensively tonight. That’s something we’ll need to talk about.”

The Sparks never trailed after leading, 53-42, at halftime.

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Houston 72, Washington 67 -- Kedra Holland-Corn had 21 points to lift the Comets (8-7) past the Mystics (5-7) in front of 7,496 at Houston.

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Connecticut 74, Detroit 72 -- Nykesha Sales scored five of her 19 points in the final 1:15 to lead the Sun (8-7) over the Shock (7-6) in front of 8,381 at Auburn Hills, Mich.

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Sacramento 63, Phoenix 57 -- The Monarchs (5-7) made six free throws in the final 49 seconds to top the Mercury (6-7) in front of 7,453 at Sacramento.