PHOENIX (AP) - Britney Griner had 12 of her 16 points in the second half and grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds to help the Phoenix Mercury beat San Antonio 83-80 on Friday night to clinch the last playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Candice Dupree had 18 points and eight rebounds for Phoenix (16-13), which reached the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons after missing the postseason a year ago and then selecting Griner with the first overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Phoenix, which improved to 6-2 under interim coach Russ Pennell, led by 18 in the second half before San Antonio got within two in the final minute. Diana Taurasi then made three of four free throws in the final 23 seconds to help secure the win.
Danielle Adams had 26 points, including nine in the final 3:34, and Jia Perkins added 14 for the Silver Stars (11-20).
FEVER 82, SKY 77
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Briann January scored a career-high 23 points, Erlana Larkins had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Indiana held off Chicago.
The defending champion Fever (14-16) moved into a tie with Washington for third place in the Eastern Conference and can clinch their ninth consecutive playoff berth by beating Connecticut at home Saturday.
January eclipsed her previous high of 22 points set in 2012. She also had a career-best five 3-pointers.
Shavonte Zellous added 14 points, Karima Christmas had 11, and Tamika Catchings finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Larkins also had a career-best six assists.
Sylvia Fowles scored 23 points for Chicago, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped to drop to 21-9. Epiphanny Prince added 19 points, and Elena Delle Donne had 14, and Swin Cash 13.
The victory was Indiana's third in four meetings with Chicago this season.
The Sky, who already clinched the Eastern Conference title, travel to Washington on Sunday.
SPARKS 74, SHOCK 70
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Candace Parker had 20 points and nine rebounds and Los Angeles beat Tulsa to snap a two-game losing streak.
Parker scored 10 points in the first quarter and hit a long jumper with 1:16 remaining to help the Sparks (22-10) avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Nneka Ogwumike added 16 points for Los Angeles and Lindsey Harding and Kristi Toliver each had 11.
Glory Johnson led Tulsa (10-21) with 19 points, and Riquna Williams had 18.
Nicole Powell made a short jumper to pull the Shock to 72-70 with 28 seconds left. But the Sparks made all four of their free throws over the final 16 seconds.
DREAM 70, LIBERTY 57
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Angel McCoughtry scored 16 points, Erika de Souza had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Atlanta cruised past New York.
Tiffany Hayes added 12 points and Alex Bentley had 11 for the Dream (17-13), who moved closer to clinching second place in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta leads Washington, which lost at Connecticut, by three games with four games remaining for both teams.
Kara Braxton scored 17 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter, Plenette Pierson had 12 and Alex Montgomery 10 for New York (11-20), which moved closer to being eliminated from playoff contention.
SUN 77, MYSTICS 70
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Tan White matched her career high with 26 points and had six assists to help short-handed Connecticut beat Washington.
Kelsey Griffin added 17 points, and Mistie Bass had eight points and 10 rebounds for Connecticut (7-23). The Sun played without four starters - WNBA MVP Tina Charles (knee), Kelly Faris (foot), Allison Hightower (knee), and Kara Lawson (bruised knee). All but Lawson have been shut down for the season.
Crystal Langhorne had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Mystics (14-16).