Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker, right, attempts to shoot over Minnesota Lynx’s Rebekkah Brunson in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

Minnesota Lynx’s Maya Moore, center, loses the ball in a rebound attempt with Los Angeles Sparks’ Nneka Ogwumike, right, in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

Minnesota Lynx’s Seimone Augustus, left, disrupts a shot-attempt by Los Angeles Sparks’ Alana Beard in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

Los Angeles Sparks’ Alana Beard, left, drives as Minnesota Lynx’s Maya Moore defends in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve directs her team in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Los Angeles Sparks Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Brian Agler applauds his team in the first quarter during Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Minnesota Lynx Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press)

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By Dave Campbell (Associated Press)

MINNEAPOLIS — Nneka Ogwumike’s short jumper with 3.1 seconds left gave the Los Angeles Sparks a 77-76 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx for their first title in 14 years in the deciding game of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night.

The league MVP joined her teammates in celebration as a stunned crowd slowly filed out after finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Naperville Central High School grad Candace Parker had 28 points and 12 rebounds to earn MVP honors of the Finals. It was Parker’s first WNBA title. “This is for Pat,” an emotional Parker told ESPN after the game, referring to legendary University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who coached Parker to two NCAA titles. Summitt died in June.

Rebekkah Brunson made one of two free throws with 23 seconds left to give the Lynx a 74-73 lead. Parker answered with a layup on the other end that Maya Moore countered with a jumper with 15 seconds remaining. Ogwumike’s first try for the win was off the mark, but she worked her way over to the loose ball for another attempt that she coolly swished.

Lindsay Whalen’s final shot from just inside halfcourt wasn’t close, setting off Los Angeles’ celebration.

Moore had 23 points and 11 assists for the Lynx, who fell short of matching the WNBA record of four championships. The Houston Comets won four straight titles from 1997-2000.

The Lynx played in the finals for the fifth time in the last six years. They won three.