MINNEAPOLIS — Brittney Griner scored a season-high 22 points and the hot-shooting Atlanta Dream handed the Minnesota Lynx their first loss in 15 home games this season 90-86 on Sunday night.
The Lynx trailed 83-70 with three minutes to go but pulled within three on Napheesa Collier’s basket with 11.3 seconds left. Jordin Canada’s free throw at seven seconds iced it.
Atlanta made its first six shots of the fourth quarter before a block by Collier and then made three more in a row. Collier had 13 points in the final period.
Canada had 18 points for the Dream (15-10) and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Allisha Gray both added 12.
Collier scored 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting to go with eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks to lead the Lynx (22-5). Alanna Smith added 12 points, Courtney Williams 11 and Natisha Hiedeman 10.
The Lynx franchise-record home winning streak was the fourth-longest in WNBA history.
Atlanta was 5-of-20 shooting in the third quarter when Minnesota cut a 14-point halftime deficit to as little as three. But in the other three quarters the Dream shot 29 of 45 (71 per cent).
The Lynx shot 56 per cent but after Collier it was 48 per cent. They were also outscored by nine at the foul line.
The Lynx end a five-game homestand on Wednesday when the defending champion New York Liberty visit for the first meeting of the season between the two WNBA finalist from last season.
