The Lynx went into LA needing a win in a game that didn't mean much to the Sparks. Minnesota played tough, frustrating Lisa Leslie, who fouled out after only 19 minutes on the floor. The Lynx's twin rookie towers took advantage -- Ohlde and Hayden combined for 35 points and led Minnesota into the playoffs.

"It's a great win," coach Suzie McConnell Serio said. "Our team came to play tonight. I could not be more proud of their effort; they executed the game plan the way we wanted to and we got great contributions from all our players."

The Lynx haven't been great lately, but they've managed to scrap together a few wins at big times. They've managed to hold on to a playoff spot without Katie Smith.

"We miss [Smith's] scoring, her defense and the leadership she has brought to this team," McConnell Serio said. "But you can't think about what you don't have, about what you can't control. You can only worry about what you can control, and this team has done that."