For the first time in years, the two best teams in the WNBA are playing for the championship.

The Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx have each won one game in a best-of-five series.

The most important game of the series is Friday night at 6 at the Galen Center on the USC campus.
What makes the series so intriguing is both teams have superstars, outstanding lineups, players who can come off the bench and contribute and powerful coaching.

Both teams have stayed away from the injury bug

The game is a toss-up. That is the way the WNBA wanted it.
\The WNBA changed the playoff format this season to make sure the two best teams made it to the finals.

The Lynx and the Sparks finished 1-2 out of the 12 teams.

In the past, one would have been eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals because they play in the same conference. Whomever made the decision got it right.

Another reason these finals are so exciting is both teams are healthy, and everyone is playing at a high level.

The Sparks’ starting lineup has been together since the beginning of the season. Essence Carson, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Alana Beard and Kristi Toliver have great chemistry.

The Sparks’ bench is led by Sixth WNBA Woman of the Year Jantel Lavender along with Chelsea Gray and Ana Dabovic.

The Lynx have four players who helped the United States women win the gold medal in Rio last summer.
Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen were all instrumental in helping the USA win the Olympics. Now they will be trying to help Minnesota win the WNBA.

The Sparks won the opener 78-76 on a last-second jumper by Beard.

The Lynx rebounded to win the second game, 79-60.

After Friday, game four will be Sunday at 5:30 at the Staples Center.

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com