Lynx Fall One Point Short Of Second Straight Title

The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Minnesota Lynx 77-76 Thursday night at Target Center in the deciding game five of the WNBA Finals.

The Sparks were the beneficiary of bad officiating in the fourth quarter when Nneka Ogwumike's shot with 1:12 left appeared to leave her hand after the shot clock expired. At the next stoppage, officials appeared to indicate that they would review the play on replay, but WNBA rules prohibited the review.

Los Angeles scored the game-winning bucket with less than four seconds remaining in the game, and Lindsey Whalen's half-court heave missed the mark to end the game.

Maya Moore led the Lynx with 23 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and three steals.