LOS ANGELES (AP) — Candace Parker and Jantel Lavender each scored 16 points as the Los Angeles Sparks routed the Phoenix Mercury 89-55 on Sunday.
Nneka Ogwumike had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Sparks (24-10) in a preview of the Western Conference semifinals. They’ve clinched the second and third seeds and will open a best-of-three series Thursday in Los Angeles.
Brittney Griner had nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks for Phoenix (19-15), which was held to its lowest point total this season. Jasmine James also added nine points.
Diana Taurasi, who had a shot at her sixth WNBA scoring title, took a knee to a quad in the second quarter and was held out as a precautionary measure. Phoenix’s second-leading scorer Candice Dupree did not play.
MYSTICS 70, LIBERTY 52
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tayler Hill scored a career-high-tying 16 points to help the Mystics defeat the Liberty and clinch the third playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Kia Vaughn scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her second-straight double-double and her third of the season to help the Mystics split their four-game season series with New York
Ivory Latta added 12 points for Washington (17-17), which closed its season with three straight victories to finish a game ahead of fourth-place Indiana entering their first playoffs since 2010.
The Mystics will face second-seeded Atlanta in a three-game conference semifinal series.
Kelsey Bone scored 11 points and Toni Young added 10 for New York (11-23) in the final game for retiring teammate and seven-time WNBA All-Star Katie Smith.
SUN 82, FEVER 80, OT
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Izzy Castro Marques made two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime and the Sun edged the Fever.
Castro Marques led Connecticut (10-24) with 19 points. Mistie Bass had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Renee Montgomery added 16 points for the Sun.
Karima Christmas led the playoff-bound Fever (16-18) with 21 points. Katie Douglas had 14 points, Erlana Larkins and Jeanette Pohlen each scored 12.
Larkins missed a short jumper at the buzzer for Indiana.
Kelsey Griffin, who had 10 points, forced overtime scoring with 0.4 seconds left in regulation.
Both teams played with seven players because of injuries and to rest players on the last day of the regular season. Indiana will advance to the WNBA playoffs.
SILVER STARS 97, DREAM 68
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Danielle Adams scored a franchise-record 39 points and the Silver Stars closed a disappointing season by routing the playoff bound Atlanta.
Adams drove the lane for a spinning layup to top the franchise record of 38 points set by Becky Hammon on July 30, 2009 against Sacramento. A second-year forward from Texas A&M, Adams was 13 for 23 from the field and 10 for 12 on free throws. She left the game with 1:36 remaining to a standing ovation.
Alex Bentley had 17 points and former Silver Stars center Ruth Riley had 10 points for Atlanta (17-17). The Dream, who are the second seed in the Eastern Conference, lost four straight to close the regular season. They will play Washington in the opening round of the playoffs.
Shameka Christon had 24 points, Shenise Johnson added 20 points for San Antonio (12-22).
WNBA Roundup: Parker’s 16 points help LA rout Phoenix, 89-55 is a post from: PhatzRadio.com
