With the loss, the Lynx ...

• Dropped to 25-8 with one game to go, keeping Chicago (23-9, two games left) in contention for the No. 1 overall seed in the WNBA playoffs.

• Lost for the first time in eight games.

• Lost the season series with the Sparks 3-2.

• Cannot duplicate their 27-7 record of the past two seasons or match Los Angeles' record for most victories in a three-year span (81).