The Sparks, three games outside of the WNBA’s final playoff spot nearing the midway point of the season, host first-place Minnesota on Thursday afternoon.

Minnesota Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman are planning to do a non-stop livestream during the entirety of the WNBA All-Star Weekend.

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota Lynx visits the Los Angeles Sparks after Courtney Williams scored 21 points in the Lynx's 79-71 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The Sparks are 3-9 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 8.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Dearica Hamby averaging 2.6.

The Minnesota Lynx have dominated the WNBA so far this season, running out to a 17-2 record—four games clear of any other team in the league in the loss column. Of course, fans wouldn't really know it based on the recently released roster for the upcoming All-Star Game.

Heading into the match-up, the No. 6 Valkyries have a 9-7 record, and the Lynx are 15-2, a record that puts them at the top of the WNBA.

Napheesa Collier scored 28 points in a victory that began slowly and concluded with Minnesota’s reserves protecting the margin.

The Mercury defeated the Minnesota Lynx 79-71. This win gives them a 14-6 record and their first win against the Lynx. Now, the Mercury are 1-2 in their matchups against Minnesota.

Like on Tuesday night. When the dance became dysfunctional and discordant, and the Lynx lost a game that seemed winnable, heck — especially with Caitlin Clark on the bench with an injury — dominatable.

It was a back-and-forth affair all afternoon. The Lynx led by four after the first quarter, but the Mercury took a three-point lead into halftime. Minnesota then led by five after a strong third quarter, only to be outscored by 13 in the fourth.