Silver Stars Defeat Sparks To Advance To First Franchise Finals

"The ball was being kicked out when we needed it, and when we needed a basket we couldn't get it," Sparks head coach Michael Cooper said of Sunday's game. "By the time we're able to get our rhythm back it was too late. It's hard to do anything when your best player [Leslie] is sitting on the bench with five fouls."

The Sparks outrebounded the Stars 32-22, including a 13-2 advantage in the offensive rebounding category. Los Angeles finished the series 18-plus in total rebounds and 16-plus in offensive rebounds.

The Sparks led the majority of the third quarter and were up by as many as eight before Young hit a 14-foot jumper to regain the lead with 25 seconds remaining. The Sparks led for the most of the fourth before going cold in the final 2:16 in the game. Hammon tied the game on a 23-foot 3-pointer with one minute left, and after a controversial offensive foul on Milton-Jones, Hammon would officially close the door on the Sparks with four free throws in the final 36 seconds.

Silver Stars head coach Dan Hughes recognized the importance of his experienced guard. "Just an incredible effort on Becky's [Hammon] part to do whatever was needed to get it done," he said. "Two things stood out: Becky is a joy to coach and she'll turn plays and situations into productive ones where most players can't find a way. Her intelligence and ability are huge."

Working from the charity stripe and outside the arc has always been a strength of Hammon's throughout her career.

"Becky Hammon was unbelievable today -- she's made 3s from everywhere, worked under pressure and made some really clutch free throws at the end of the game," Ann Wauters said of her teammate. "Becky's consistency from the free-throw line has really helped us all season."

After taking over the team that won seven games in his first season, the success of Silver Stars coach Hughes has been central to the growth of the team in a city where basketball prominence is expected.

"I came here and it was different than my other two jobs," Hughes said. "It was going to take a lot more of a culture change. I was lucky to get some people in my second and third year ... Luckily I had an example [in the Spurs] of how to do something well, and in a personal way it motivated --I knew that's what we were going to do."

Hammon set the team record for points in a playoff game with 35, breaking her previous record of 32 set in last year's series against the Phoenix Mercury.

Home court advantage, which the Stars will enjoy in the Finals, has proved significant for the Stars - where they are now 15-2 on the season, plus 3-1 in the playoffs.

The Stars await the winner of Monday's game between the Detroit and New York. When asked about the possibility of seeing her former team in the finals, Hammon replied, "I picked them, I think they're coming out of the east. They have done a great job. Both Detroit and New York are great teams. But I hope to see [New York], it would be a great story."

The best-of-five finals will begin Wednesday in San Antonio.