The friday night WNBA schedule featured the second of three scheduled meetings between the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx. While Minnesota won the previous game on their home court, Friday's game went the way of the reigning WNBA Champions. The L.A. Sparks captured an 80-74 win at Minnesota thanks to big games from guard Chelsea Gray and forward Candace Parker. Here's the latest Sparks vs. Lynx game recap with top performers, stats, a standings update, and what's next for the two teams on the schedule.

WNBA game recap

In tonight's victory, the Los Angeles Sparks received 19 points and 10 rebounds from one of their All-Star players.

Candace Parker finished 5-for-12 from the field including a 3-for-6 rate for her 3-point shots. Parker also had three assists and two blocks. Fellow All-Star Chelsea Gray scored 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting to give the Sparks a boost, and reigning WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike scored just three points, but her only field goal of the game was also her biggest. Ogwumike hit a baseline jumper with 28 seconds left to extend her team's lead to five points. Gray would add two free throws to make it seven points for the lead and the Lynx were unable to get closer than six.

Minnesota received a double-double from Sylvia Fowles who had 17 points and 13 rebounds. Rebekkah Brunson had 14 points and nine boards, while Maya Moore scored 12.

Rebecca Montgomery added 10 points and five assists. The team continued to play without their floor general Lindsay Whalen who sat out due to a left hand injury and required surgery.

The Minnesota Lynx shot 42.6 percent for the game and 33.3 percent from downtown, while the Sparks hit at a rate of 37.5 percent for the game including a 36.8 percent rate from 3-point range.

The Lynx also won the rebounding battle 35-30 but unfortunately, they were outdone in this game down the stretch.

Standings & what's next

The Minnesota Lynx continue to own the best overall record in the league at 21-4 overall and 11-2 at home. The team has clinched a playoff spot already but wants to continue to hold onto the top spot for homecourt advantage.

Their next game comes on Wednesday, August 16th when they visit the Seattle Storm for a 10 p.m. Eastern Time game.

The Los Angeles Sparks are now 19-7 overall and 7-6 on the road. They also have clinched a playoff spot and are 2.5 games behind Minnesota for the WNBA standings lead. The Sparks play again on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern Time when they visit the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden.
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