Minnesota Lynx players celebrate a play against the Indiana Fever… Lynx star Maya Moore had a quiet game offensively, scoring just five points on 1-of-8 shooting, but it didn’t matter.
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For the third time in five years, the Minnesota Lynx are WNBA champions after a 69-52 Game 5 victory over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night. It was never more evident than during a three-minute span to start the second quarter, when the Fever committed five turnovers, allowing Minnesota to go on an 8-0 run.
Still, Minnesota earned the top seed for the playoffs, which proved crucial as the Lynx were tested at every stop along their playoff run – unlike in their previous championship runs.
Seimone Augustus was right behind Fowles with 16 points, and Rebekkuh Brunson collected a double-double as well, ending the night with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Tamika Catchings had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Fever, who were looking for their second championship.
Minnesota also won titles in 2011 and 2013. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said before the game that getting her rest was a challenge. A controversial foul call in the waning seconds of Game 2 in Phoenix gave Minnesota a sweep over the Mercury. By then it seemed as if this really could be anyone’s ball game.
The Fever shot just 35.7 percent from the field, derailing their bid at yet another road upset in an elimination game this postseason.
The Minnesota Lynx were the best team in the Western Conference through the regular season.
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The Minnesota Lynx are champions and expect more to come from them. Instead, Minnesota signed Moore to a multiyear contract extension and kept all of its core intact.
