Fowles, Moore named to first-team All-WNBA

Sylvia Fowles was surprised by the news, but only because she thought all the WNBA awards had been handed out already.

But the news itself isn't that surprising. Fowles, the 2017 WNBA MVP, was named to the All-WNBA first team, receiving 39 out of a possible 40 votes. Perhaps a slight surprise is teammate Maya Moore joining Fowles in the first team. Moore had a strong season, but it might have been her strong finish that convinced voters.

They were joined on the first team by Dallas guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, New York forward Tina Charles and L.A. Sparks forward Candace Parker.

"I'm happy to be a part of it,'' Fowles said. "It shows all the hard work I put in throughout the season. So I'm honored. And Maya with me, that's always a good thing.''

Fowles has been All-WNBA six times, but this is her third year on the first team. Moore was selected to the first team for the fifth straight season.

"That means Sylvia and I have been playing the way we need to play for our team to be great,'' Moore said. "You never take that for granted, just to be able to be healthy enough to play all season, to play well.''

The second team consisted of center Brittney Griner and guard Diana Taurasi from Phoenix, guard Chelsea Gray and forward Nneka Ogumike from Los Angeles and Connecticut center Jonquel Jones.

Here are some other thoughts from today's morning shoot as both teams got ready for Game 3 tonight at Staples Center.

--Given how important strong starts have been in this series, and the fact that both teams have spent two days talking about it, it will be interesting to see how the first quarter unfolds tonight.

"I think both teams will be mindful that fast starts have hurt each team,'' Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. "Obviously we'll try to avoid letting L.A. get off to a fast start, they're going to do the same. It's a test of wills.''

Said Fowles: "It's going to be physical. I think it will be a grind. Especially since L.A. is back at home. I'm sure they'll be energized.''

--The winner tonight at Staples Center in Los Angeles will gain a 2-1 edge and a chance to close out the best-of-five series Sunday. A Lynx win would, at minimum, mean a trip back home to Williams Arena should a Game 5 be needed.

I was curious to find out if the players feel as agonized and on-edge as fans do when games are going down the wire, as the last three between these team have, dating back to last year's Game 5 Lynx loss.

Turns out: No.

"I think it's more of a joy for us,'' Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen said. "I think for our fans, our families watching, it's more agonizing for them. We can control what we do on the floor. We're in the moment. But, when you're out there, sometimes it's just like you appreciate the high level of basketball that's being played.''

I asked Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve the same question. "For me, there is some joy and some agonizing,'' she said. "I'm probably in between the fans and the players. I still have some control, I have to remain focused. But I can't imagine the roller coaster we've put the fans on. And the same for L.A. fans. It's going up and down, backwards and forwards. It's like Valley Fair.''

Both teams have had leads of 20 points or more. The Sparks had a 26-point first-quarter lead only to have the Lynx take two one-point leads in the final minute of the game before Gray's game-winner. In Game 2 the Lynx saw a 20-point third-quarter lead almost slip away.