Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) celebrates after forcing an turnover by the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Sylvia Fowles scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Minnesota used a 23-2 fourth quarter to cruise past the Atlanta Dream 69-54 on Thursday night.
Minnesota (20-2) is the first team in league history with 20-plus wins in seven straight seasons.
The Lynx scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter for a 60-52 lead and Brittney Sykes finally ended Atlanta's drought with two free throws at the 3:38 mark.
Maya Moore added 15 points for Minnesota but she was just 4 of 14 from the field. Lindsay Whalen left in the third quarter with a hand injury.
Minnesota was just 1 of 12 from 3-point range in the first half but still led 35-30 behind Moore's 12 points.
Layshia Clarendon led Atlanta (10-14) with 18 points. The Dream closed the third quarter on a 7-0 run for a 52-46 lead as Minnesota was held to 11 points.
Minnesota Lynx forward Plenette Pierson, bottom, loses control of the ball when it was stripped by Atlanta Dream forward Elizabeth Williams (1) during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) reacts after losing a rebound to Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle (20), while Lyttle hands off the ball to guard Layshia Clarendon (23) during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx forward Plenette Pierson (22) celebrates after taking a charge while defending Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle (20) during the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press