Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) loses control of the ball as she runs into Chicago Sky forward Azura Stevens (30) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Napheesa Collier scored 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx held on to beat the Chicago Sky 83-81 on Thursday night.
Damiris Dantas added 14 points, Rachel Banham scored 13 and Sylvia Fowles had 10 points and seven rebounds for Minnesota (2-1).
Azura Stevens had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Cheyenne Parker added 16 points and 10 boards for the Sky (2-1).
Crystal Dangerfield made two free throws to give the Lynx a 12-point lead with 3:26 to play, but Parker hit a 3-pointer eight seconds later to spark a 10-3 run that trimmed Chicago's deficit to 79-74 when Stevens made a 3 with 1:41 to go.
Collier answered with a layup, but Courtney Vandersloot made a layup and then Diamond DeShields had a steal and a layup to make it a three-point game with 53.6 seconds left.
After two free throws by Collier, Allie Quigley's 3-pointer capped the scoring with 38.2 remaining.
Vandersloot missed two potential tying layups in the final seven seconds and Gabby Williams couldn't convert an alley-oop at the buzzer.
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) reaches for the ball in front of Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields (1) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) works against Minnesota Lynx guard Crystal Dangerfield (2) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Chicago Sky forward Azura Stevens (30) drives against Minnesota Lynx forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (21) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) looks to pass around Minnesota Lynx guard Shenise Johnson (42) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (21) goes up in front of Chicago Sky forward Azura Stevens (30) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots over Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) and forward Gabby Williams (15) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, (24) gets fouled by Chicago Sky forward Gabby Williams (15) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press