Lynx weather Storm 73-72 in deciding game - KMSP-TV

The Minnesota Lynx made it through the first round of the playoffs with a 73-72 win over the Seattle Storm in the final game of the three game series. Seimone Augustus scored 21 points and Maya Moore added 20 as the defending champions punched their ticket to the Western Conference finals.

It was the play of Rebekkah Brunson that was the difference in the game. Brunson scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the win including four straight field goals in the final quarter.

With the Lynx leading 73-69, Storm guard Sue Bird drilled a three pointer to cut the Lynx lead to a single point with 35 seconds left in the game. Bird finished the game with 19 points.

Lindsay Whalen missed a contested shot with 10.4 seconds remaining and the Storm called timeout with 3.3 seconds remaining in the game to set up one final play.

The inbound play went to Storm center Lauren Jackson who had a clean look on a turn around jump shot against Brunson. It hit the rim and went off, sending the Lynx to the next round.

Camile Little added 17 points for the Storm. According to head coach Brian Agler, Little played the most consistent for the Storm through the entire season.

Lindsay Whalen injured her left wrist in the first quarter forcing her to play with one hand. She briefly returned to the game in the second quarter before being taken to the locker room.

The Lynx advance to the Western Conference finals to face the Los Angeles Sparks. That series begins Thursday night at Target Center.