a close one

Great performance Sunday by Candace Parker of the L.A. Sparks, in the WNBA Western Conference finals. 33 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks. She went 14 for 22 from the field, including 3 for 6 from the 3-point line.

I actually watched that game until it was done before finally switching to the NFL game between New England and Denver.

And it was a great game, but the Minnesota Lynx (the defending champs) are too good, and they held on to win, 80-79. Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Rebekkah Brunson, Monica Wright, Candice Wiggins -- very solid core of players, very nice team at both ends of the court. Potentially the next WNBA dynasty.

Candace Parker almost pulled it off for the Sparks. Late in the game, she tipped a tough, contested rebound a couple of times, finally got the put-back; big moment in the game. Then followed that up with a 30-footer off of an an inbound pass with the shot clock running out, to give L.A. a two-point lead. But Monica Wright drained a 3-pointer to put Minnesota back up by one.

Then, on the final play, the Sparks couldn't get the ball to Parker, and Alana Beard (out of Duke) missed a 16-footer at the buzzer.

I think I'm the only guy in New Mexico who's been following the WNBA all season, and the only one who was watching Sparks vs. Lynx instead of Patriots vs. Broncos!

Minnesota will play either Connecticut or Indiana for the championship.