As players decry outcome of Breonna Taylor case, Storm take Game 2 over Lynx

Jewell Loyd scored 20 points and the Seattle Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 89-79 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 WNBA semifinal series.

Loyd had 10 points in a 12-0 run to end the first half, including consecutive 3-pointers, for a 46-33 lead and the Storm led the rest of the way, fending off multiple Lynx charges.

Loyd's 3-pointer with 5:15 left in the third quarter gave Seattle a 21-point lead. The Lynx finished the period with a 21-6 run to cut it to 68-62. The Storm again rebuilt double-digit leads only to see Minnesota cut them to single figures, the final time with 2:14 remaining.

The second-seeded Storm, who beat No. 4 Minnesota in the series opener on Alysha Clark's last-second putback, have a chance to sweep the series Sunday.

WATCH | Sports world reacts to decision in Breonna Taylor case:

Athletes react to charges laid in Breonna Taylor case

4 years ago

Duration 3:05

After one fired officer was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the killing of Breonna Taylor, athletes vocalized their anger and frustration.

Breanna Stewart, 0 of 7 from the arc, finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Seattle. Clark added 13 points and Natasha Howard 11. Sue Bird, with seven points, made an early 3-pointer that gave her 86 in playoff games, good for sixth on the league's career list.

Damiris Dantas made five 3-pointers and led the Lynx with 23 points. Odyssey Sims added 18 points, Napheesa Collier, who missed the majority of the first half in foul trouble, finished with 12 points after scoring 25 in Game 1. Crystal Dangerfield had 10.

WATCH | Loyd, Stewart lead Storm past Lynx:

Seattle Storm secure Game 2 win to take commanding series lead over Minnesota

4 years ago

Duration 0:34

With an 89-79 win, the Seattle Storm take a 2-0 series lead over the Minnesota Lynx and are just one game away from reaching the WNBA Finals.

Canada's Bridget Carleton contributed eight points and seven rebounds for Minnesota in the loss.

Collier made a statement on behalf of the players before the game decrying the "outrageous and offensive" outcome of Wednesday's news that a grand jury did not indict any police officers on charges directly related to the death of Breonna Taylor. Collier said the players will continue to work for "full and complete justice."