The series is set. The highly anticipated Lynx-Sparks round 2 match-up will begin Sunday. Last year’s finals saw the two squads battle it out in a five-game series, with the Sparks emerging victorious, 3-2. Superstar Candace Parker finally got her first WNBA title after many years of disappointment from just falling short. She was not to be denied in the 2016 WNBA Finals. The former Lady Vol grabbed the 2016 WNBA Finals MVP after putting in 28 points in the deciding game of the series and grabbing 12 boards to go along with them. Throughout the WNBA playoffs, Parker averaged 19.5 PPG, grabbed 9.5 boards per game, and dished out 4.5 dimes per game.

Despite Parker’s heroic performance in Game 5 and consistent success throughout the playoffs, she received tremendous help from her teammates during both the 2016 post season and regular season. 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike was an absolute force throughout the entire 2016 season. Embed from Getty Images

She served as the second half of the two-headed monster alongside Parker to lead the Sparks to a 26-8 regular season record. She racked in 19.7 points per game and grabbed 9.1 rebounds per game to go along with a 61% shooting percentage from three-point range – a healthy improvement from her 8% three point percentage in 2015. Point guard Kristi Toliver remained healthy for the entirety of the season, providing continuity at the PG position that the Sparks in past seasons. Alana Beard shined bright defensively throughout the series, often finding herself matched up with WNBA superstar Maya Moore.

This year, although the Sparks returned both Oqwumike and Parker along with Beard and a few other role players, they lost their point guard Kristi Toliver. Toliver left L.A. for the Mystics this past off season after serving as a crucial part of the Sparks 2016 playoff run. The Sparks filled the void at the point guard position by acquiring former Baylor Lady Bear, Odyssey Sims, from Dallas. Sims filled in beautifully for the Sparks this season, and has helped lead the charge for the Spakrs during their postseason run.

Throughout the 2017 postseason, Sims has averaged 16.5 PPG and has played an astounding 36.2 minutes per game. She quickly found her role on the team and fully bought in to third-year head coach Brain Agler’s system. Sims poured in 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting in Game 3 to finish off the Phoenix Mercury, and she looks to continue her hot streak in the finals against the Lynx. Embed from Getty Images

Both clubs punched their tickets to the 2017 WNBA Finals by sweeping their opponents, 3-0, in a best-of-five series. The Lynx finished off the Washington Mystics in convincing fashion, 81-70, this past Sunday. Each of the Lynx three victories in the series were won by double digits, highlighting the dominance of the star-studded squad. Maya Moore continued to dazzle, dropping in 21 points in the Sunday’s decisive victory. 2017 WNBA MVP Sylvia Fowels added 17 for the Lynx while star Seimone Augustus dropped in 18. Embed from Getty Images

Minnesota maintained their status as a super-team in the Western Conference this past year, finishing a league best 27-7, one game of their 28-6 pace last season. With veteran point guard Lindsey Whalen fully recovered from her pinky finger injury earlier this season, the Lynx look poised to get revenge on their Western Conference foe in the Finals. With titles in 2011, 2013, and 2015, it only seems right for the Lynx to add 2017 to that list.

But Parker and the Sparks will have a lot to say about that come Sunday when Game 1 tips off. Part two of this Finals saga between the Lynx and Sparks welcomes a series of unknowns. Will Parker be able to put together a series like she did last year when the Sparks claimed the title? Will Sims provide the essential guard play that Toliver was able to supply the Sparks with last year? Or will Maya Moore and the Lynx be able to avenge their heartbreaking defeat in last year’s finals?

Game one tips off Sunday at 3:30 ET on ABC.