2016 WNBA season scores: Seattle returns to post-season after huge win over Sparks


The process has paid off for the Seattle Storm. The Storm returned to the WNBA post-season after scoring another decisive win against a legitimate title contender, this time beating the Los Angeles Sparks, 78-60 on Sunday.

All five starters finished in double-digits for the Storm, which capped Sunday's full slate of games with their fourth straight victory. The Storm remain one of the hottest teams in post-Olympic break action, having won six of eight overall since the break.

Seattle pulled away in the first quarter with outside shooting, and took a 49-27 lead into the halftime break. The squad never went threatened in the second half as the Sparks struggled without MVP candidate Nneka Ogwumike.

Breanna Stewart scored a game high-tying 20 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line while also hitting two triples. Alysha Clark and Crystal Langhorne each scored 15 points, Sue Bird added 12 points and seven assists, while Jewell Loyd finished with 10 points.

The Storm had a 32-24 lead in rebounding and also out-assisted the Sparks, 17-10.

Candace Parker led the Sparks with 20 points and 10 boards. Chelsea Gray was the only other double-digit scorer for Los Angeles with 13 points.

The Sparks fell to 24-8 in the season and have yielded the top spot to the Minnesota Lynx (26-5). Both teams will enter the postseason armed with two-round byes.

It is the first post-season berth for the Storm since missing the bus in 2014 and 2015. With the guidance of president and GM Alisha Valavanis and head coach Jenny Boucek, the Storm were able to build a competitive squad and now have a chance to reach even better heights this year.

Sunday's scores:

 Chicago Sky 96, Connecticut Sun 86


The Sky were the fourth team to clinch a post-season berth as they began Sunday with a win over the Sun.

Cappie Pondexter carried the Sky, which were still without Elena Delle Donne and Tamera Young, finishing with 24 points including 10-for-11 from the free throw line, five rebounds, and five assists.

Pondexter also rose to fifth in the all-time scoring list, passing Lisa Leslie.

Four others finished in double-digits for the Sky, which improved to 16-15 in the season. Allie Quigley came off the bench to score 18 points on a 7-for-10 clip while Courtney Vandersloot had 16 points, seven boards, and four assists.

Jasmine Thomas had 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting and six assists for the Sun. Chiney Ogwumike added 20 points. The Sun have lost three in a row and are now virtually out of the playoffs with an 11-20 record in the season.

Indiana Fever 80, Washington Mystics 73


Erica Wheeler and Lynetta Kizer each tallied 17 points as last year's Eastern Conference champions returned to the post-season for a 12th consecutive time.

Brianna January added 15 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and four assists for the Fever, which likewise improved to 16-15 overall.

Emma Meesseman had 19 points while Tayler Hill contributed 15 points, all coming from three-point area for the Mystics, which fell to 12-19 in the season.

Washington is two games out of the eighth spot, but still has a slim chance to advance in the playoffs.

Dallas Wings 84, New York Liberty 81


A 32-15 first quarter was all the Wings needed to pull away from the Liberty and prevail, 84-81 and pick up their second straight win.

Though already out of contention for the playoffs, the Wings (11-21) played better against the Liberty (21-11), which only had nine players for the game.

Karima Christmas had 23 points and five rebounds, while shooting an efficient 8-for-13 from the floor. Skylar Diggins had 22 points, including 9-for-12 from the stripe.

Tina Charles led New York with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, even managing to hit three from long range. Sugar Rodgers added 15 points.

Minnesota Lynx 81, San Antonio Stars 76

The Lynx (26-5) sealed homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs after a close win over the Stars (6-25).

It was the fifth straight victory for the Lynx, which were led by Seimone Augustus' 20 points on 50 percent shooting. Maya Moore added 17 points in the win.

Rookie Moriah Jefferson paced the Stars with 26 points and eight assists. Forwards Monique Currie and Astou Ndour added 18 and 14 points, respectively.

Phoenix Mercury 86, Atlanta Dream 75

The Mercury snapped a three-game losing streak and scored a crucial win against the Dream to strengthen their hold of the eighth spot in the league standings.

Brittney Griner had 21 points, nine boards, and five blocks, helping the Mercury avenge a loss against the same team less than a week ago. Griner also moved past Parker for ninth overall in the all-time blocks list. Diana Taurasi tallied 17 points.

The Dream, which fell to 16-15 as well for a three-way tie from fourth to sixth spot, were led by Tiffany Hayes' 22 points. Bria Holmes was the only other double-digit scorer for Atlanta with 14 points. Elizabeth Williams pulled down 16 rebounds.

The Mercury are now 14-17 and are two games above the Mystics for eighth spot. Phoenix can clinch the remaining playoff berth with another win.

Using the tie-break procedure, the Fever are in fourth place after Sunday's games, followed by the Dream and the Sky.

Seattle Storm 78, Los Angeles Sparks 60

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