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:

LynxStatL.A.

1 (88.0)Points per game3 (85.8)

1 (76.2)Points allowed3 (78.1)

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

3 (42.5)Field-goal pct. allowed7 (43.9)

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

2 (110.6)Offensive rating1 (110.9)

1 (96.0)Defensive rating5 (100.9)

1 (14.6)Net rating2 (10.1)