Collier helps Minnesota beat Los Angeles for 3rd time in 9 days

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Minnesota Lynx guard Tiffany Mitchell, right, goes after a loose ball along with Los Angeles Sparks Karlie Samuelson during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, right, shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Dorka Juhasz defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, right, shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, left, shoots as Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx guard Rachel Banham, left, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx guard Tiffany Mitchell, right, is fouled as she tries to get by Los Angeles Sparks Karlie Samuelson during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots as Los Angeles Sparks Karlie Samuelson (44) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx guard Tiffany Mitchell, right, shoots as Los Angeles Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, shoots as Los Angeles Sparks Karlie Samuelson defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Napheesa Collier had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Bridget Carleton added 14 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 67-61 on Tuesday night.

Minnesota (4-8) won its third game in nine days against Los Angeles, with the two previous wins coming by five-points apiece.

Collier sank a jumper from the free-throw line, following an offensive rebound, to give Minnesota a 64-61 lead with 1:26 left. Neither team would score again until Collier’s free throw with 8.7 seconds left for a four-point lead.

Trailing 64-61, Los Angeles called a timeout with 24.1 seconds left to set up an offensive play. Tiffany Mitchell intercepted a pass and raced the other way, and Minnesota secured it at the stripe.

Mitchell finished with five steals to go with eight points for Minnesota, which had a season-high 12 steals. Diamond Miller, averaging 10.4 points per game, did not play due to an ankle injury

Minnesota was 1 of 10 from behind the arc in the first half, while Los Angeles made 5 of 15. The Lynx finished 6 of 25 from 3-point range.

Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles (6-6), which lost its third straight game. Jordin Canada added 10 points.

Actor Aubrey Plaza sat courtside.

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