MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tina Thompson’s buzzer-beating jump shot lifted the Los Angeles Sparks to a 78-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, and kept the Sparks’ playoff hopes alive.

Lindsey Whalen hit two free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining to give the Lynx a 77-76 lead.

But on the ensuing play, Thompson knocked down a 17-foot shot from the baseline, as the Sparks snapped a two-game losing streak.

With the win, Los Angeles improved to 11-19 and moved a half-game behind San Antonio and Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Minnesota got 24 points off the bench from Charde Houston, who tied a career best with four 3-pointers as the Lynx fell to 11-18.