Sue Bird is in a class by herself.
On the eve of her third WNBA Finals Game 5 in as many seasons, Sylvia Fowles came to Minnesota for moments such as this. If the Lynx win, the center might become the first player in seven years to sweep the regular season and Finals MVP awards.
For years, dominant teams at the college, pro and Olympic level took some of the drama out of women's basketball's biggest moments. The sharply played, bone-crushing, heavyweight bouts between Minnesota and Los Angeles are just what the game needed.
For the second year in a row, the Lynx staved off elimination and prevented the Sparks from winning a title on their home court. This time, Rebekkah Brunson and Minnesota's rebounding -- the Lynx outrebounded the Sparks 48-28 -- were the difference.
Just as they did last year at Staples Center, the Lynx prevented the Sparks from celebrating a WNBA title on their home floor. Now, after Sunday's 80-69 Lynx victory, the series heads back to Minnesota for Wednesday's decisive Game 5.
Last season, Los Angeles couldn't close out Minnesota at home in Game 4. On Sunday (ESPN, 8:30 ET), the defending champion Sparks get another chance, and aim to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the 2001-02 Sparks.
