PHOENIX (AP) - Candice Dupree had 22 points and a franchise-record 19 rebounds to help the Phoenix Mercury clinch a playoff spot with a 93-77 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night.
Diana Taurasi added 24 points for the Mercury (18-13), who remained a half-game behind second-place Seattle going into the final week of the season.
Candace Parker had a season-high 32 points for Los Angeles (13-18), which is on the brink of elimination from playoff contention. The Sparks, two games behind fourth-place San Antonio, host the Silver Stars on Tuesday.
Los Angeles, which trailed by eight after the third quarter, pulled to 80-75 with 4:34 remaining. However, Taurasi converted a pair of free throws and then hit a 3-pointer to help secure the win.
Storm 70, Silver Stars 60
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Sue Bird scored 15, Swin Cash had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and the Seattle Storm beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 70-60 on Saturday night.
Lauren Jackson added 13 points for Seattle (19-13), which has won six of its last seven games and took four of five in the season series against San Antonio.
Sophia Young scored 22 points and Becky Hammon had 14 for the Silver Stars (15-16), who lead Los Angeles by two games for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. San Antonio also fell three games behind third-place Phoenix.
After the Silver Stars cut a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to seven, Cash banked in a 3-pointer and Seattle never looked back.
Cash topped 4,000 career points, reaching the mark when Bird found her for a layup with 8:23 left in the third quarter.