Kahleah Copper scored 28 points and the Phoenix Mercury clinched a WNBA playoff berth with a 74-66 win over the Atlanta Dream. Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner hit clutch threes towards the end of the game to clinch the win for Phoenix (17-17).
The Mercury also needed Chicago’s loss to Las Vegas at the same time, which clinched a playoff spot for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Rhyne Howard scored 31 points for the Dream (11-22), who remain tied with Chicago for the final WNBA playoff spot, a game ahead of Washington, with seven games left.
Mercury took a 16-point advantage early in the game, but Atlanta cut the deficit down to 60-57 in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. However, Taurasi and Griner shots kept the Dream away and secured the victory for Phoenix.
A’ja Wilson scored 30 points and had 14 rebounds, Chelsea Gray added 13 points and 10 assists and the Las Vegas Aces beat Chicago 90-71 on Tuesday night. This was the seventh consecutive loss for the Sky, who remained one game ahead of the Mystics and Atlanta for the final WNBA playoff spot.
Wilson’s eighth game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds helped Las Vegas stay a game up on Seattle for the fourth playoff spot and home-court advantage in the first round.
Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 18 points, Jewell Loyd added 17, and the Seattle Storm avenged the last week loss against the Sun with a 71-64 victory on Tuesday night. Nneka Ogwumike scored 14 points and Gabby Williams added 11 for Seattle (20-13). DeWanna Bonner had 26 points and Brionna Jones 21 for the Sun (24-9).
WNBA results from Tuesday (3/9)
Seattle Storm (20-13) vs Connecticut Sun (24-9) 71-64
Washington Mystics (10-23) vs Dallas Wings (9-24) 90-86
Chicago Sky (11-22) vs Las Vegas Aces (21-12) 71-90
Atlanta Dream (11-22) vs Phoenix Mercury (17-17) 66-74
