ST. PAUL SHOWDOWN

The Lynx play host to the L.A. Sparks on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. The game — the first between the two teams since L.A. beat the Lynx in Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals — pits the two top teams in the league. Here's how they rank in some key categories:

Lynx Stat L.A.

1 (88.0) Points per game 3 (85.8)

1 (76.2) Points allowed 3 (78.1)

3 (47.2) Field-goal pct. 1 (48.8)

3 (42.5) Field-goal pct. allowed 7 (43.9)

3 (37.7) Three-point pct. 2 (38.6)

2 (110.6) Offensive rating 1 (110.9)

1 (96.0) Defensive rating 5 (100.9)

1 (14.6) Net rating 2 (10.1)