Minnesota links know that they will fight for the Commissioner Cup in less than two weeks.
For now, however, links do not want that opportunity to become a distraction. When they play Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night at Miniapolis, they will try to focus on non-torti action.
This will be the third matchup of the season between Links (11–1) and Sparks (4-9). Minnesota won each of the first two matches: 89–75 road win on sparks on 18 May and domestic victory of 101-78 last Saturday.
Kelsey Plum, who missed the most recent game of Los Angeles due to a leg injury, would return to Saturday’s game. She leads the team with 20.9 points in the season and 5.6 per game.
Meanwhile, Links hopes that their top scorer, Neeffa Kolier will be available for playing. Kolier left her most recent game due to a back injury, and ended with seven points in 19 minutes.
In this season, the colir is 24.4 points and 8.5 rebound average, both at the top of the team.
Links thanked 11 out of their first 12 matches in their depths – a factor that is limited or not. Minnesota defeated Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night as Diamond Miller came out of the bench for 12 points in 14 minutes.
Miller, who was suffering from injuries for most of the last season of last season, became emotional after the performance.
“This moment means a lot to me,” Miller said.
Their contribution moving forward can also mean for links.
“She has done a lot,” said team partner Natasha Hidman. “But she brings her energy, despite being a good team partner, she is through all the goods? She simply shows, every day, with a smile on her face. I don’t know how she does.”
Sparks will look for a bright place after losing two games in a row, three of their last four and six of their last eight. The injuries have obstructed Los Angeles throughout the season.
Sparks coach Lynn Roberts said he had faith in his team in the long term.
“I still believe strongly in this group, and we are not even close to full force,” Roberts said. “We all have Calsey Plum, Odyssey Sims, Julie Elemand, Rai Burel and Cameron. And when we are going in the season, we are thinking, plums, sims, allemonds, barels and brinks are all going to be all the huge parts. So we cannot lose perspectives.”
-Bield level media
