With part-owner Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie looking on, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Assn. began their playoff run looking like the dominant team that started the season 20-1.

The Sparks have one goal: The WNBA championship.

If they play as they did last Wednesday, nothing is standing in their way. They have the ingredients to win a championship.

Their starting lineup of Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Essence Carson, Kristi Toliver and Alana Beard is the best in the league.

Their bench, led by Jantel Lavender, Chelsea Gray and Ana Dabovic is one of the best.

The Sparks should win the series against the Sky in three games because the Sky is playing without last year’s Most Valuable Player, Elena Delle Donne. She has a broken thumb.

The other semifinal series features the Minnesota Lynx, who had the best regular season record, and the Phoenix Mercury.

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com