Ogwumike's shot lifts Sparks to WNBA title, beat Lynx 77-76

Nneka Ogwumike's short jumper with 3.1 seconds left, off the rebound of her blocked shot, gave the Sparks a 77-76 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx in the deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night for the franchise's first title in 14 years.

Parker had 28 points and 12 rebounds to earn MVP honors of the Finals and her first WNBA title, capping a trying year marked by the death of the beloved Summitt, with whom she won two NCAA championships at Tennessee.

Sparks coach Brian Agler started his postgame news conference by playing a recording of the Tennessee fight song, "Rocky Top," from a phone in front of him at the podium.

Moore had 23 points and 11 assists for the Lynx, who fell short of matching the WNBA record of four championships.

Whalen stole the ball from Kristi Toliver and finished the fast break with a layup to tie the game at 71, setting up the final flurry.

On the next play, Ogwumike hit a jumper that appeared to come after the shot clock expired.

Because it is not fair to these great players that we have, Reeve said.

The WNBA's new postseason seeding format based on overall record regardless of conference worked well, leading to this classic matchup between the two teams that fought all summer for the top seed and featuring several of the league's biggest stars.

The sea of green T-shirts donned by almost everyone in the crowd produced a deafening soundtrack from start to finish, befitting a game for the WNBA trophy.