Sparks Host Lynx in High-Stakes Matinee Showdown at Crypto.com Arena

Minnesota Looks to Stay Hot While Los Angeles Fights to Reignite Its Season

Arun UpadhayayJuly 10, 2025

19,396 3 minutes read

Lights, Camera, Rivalry
High Stakes in the Midday Sun
Watching From Where You Are
Why This Game Matters

Los Angeles, July 10 EST: It’s matinee madness at Crypto.com Arena, and two legacy franchises with something to prove are stepping into the sun: the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks, tipping off at 3:00 p.m. ET in a game that’s got more tension than a buzzer-beater free throw.

This isn’t just Thursday hoops. This is a matchup soaked in history, grit, and a little desperation. The Lynx, riding high on a resurgent season, are trying to cement their spot among the league’s elite again. Meanwhile, the Sparks, bruised but never beaten, are clawing to rediscover their swagger in front of a hometown crowd that’s seen glory — and expects it again.

Lights, Camera, Rivalry

Call it a midseason gut check. This one’s not on ESPN, not on ABC — but don’t let that fool you. It’s a heat-check game for both squads, and if you’re not tuned in, you’re missing one hell of a potential statement.

FanDuel Sports Network – North is taking the Minnesota feed national, while SportsNet LA has the local lens in Southern California. It’s regional coverage with national implications. Fans outside those zones? Fire up WNBA League Pass or dig into your Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu Live lineup and cross your fingers you’re not blacked out.

Because if you care about where this league is heading, you’ll want eyes on this.

High Stakes in the Midday Sun

There’s no hiding in the shade of prime time here. This is early-afternoon basketball with full-season consequences.

Tip-off is locked for 12:00 p.m. Pacific, when Napheesa Collier and her Lynx look to impose their will — rebounding with purpose, defending with bite, and running sets like it’s 2017 all over again. But across the floor, don’t sleep on Dearica Hamby and the Sparks, who are showing flashes of the defensive steel and tempo-pushing edge that made them a dynasty not so long ago.

Can the Sparks finally string four quarters together? Can Minnesota stay surgical on the road, where young legs often tighten late? That’s the story waiting to be written — possession by possession.

Watching From Where You Are

Let’s get the logistics out of the way, because the only thing worse than a missed layup is a blackout screen:

Minnesota fans: You’re covered on FDSN-North, through cable or streaming. The WNBA app has your back too — just check if your zip code is in the clear.
Los Angeles locals: Your lifeline is SportsNet LA. If you’ve got it, you’re golden. If not, well… you might be leaning on League Pass replays unless your streaming bundle is loaded.
Everyone else: League Pass is your best shot. Just know the blackout rules: local feeds and nationally televised games get the blackout hammer. This one? You should be good to go — live and loud.

Why This Game Matters

This isn’t just a West Coast clash. It’s a temperature check on two franchises with different kinds of pressure. Minnesota wants to prove the rebuild is over. LA’s trying to prove they’re still worth fearing.

If the Sparks don’t show urgency early, they’ll drown in Minnesota’s pace. If the Lynx lose focus in the fourth, the game could flip on a dime — and these Sparks still know how to light it up when the moment comes.

So yeah, it’s Thursday. But it ain’t sleepy.

Game time is near. Fans are filtering in. And two proud teams are ready to remind the league why their names still matter.

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Arun Upadhayay

Website | + posts

A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.

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Sparks Host Lynx in High-Stakes Matinee Showdown at Crypto.com Arena