Sacramento Earns Berth in Playoffs

Tangela Smith had 14 points and six rebounds to help the Sacramento Monarchs clinch a playoff berth with a 62-54 victory Thursday night over the Houston Comets before 9,173 at Sacramento.

Sacramento (18-14) wins the tiebreaker against Seattle.

Tina Thompson had 17 points for the Comets (20-12), who saw their chances of a first-place finish in the West fade. They must win their last two games, and the Sparks must lose their two remaining games.

New York 65, Washington 60 -- The Liberty (16-16) stayed alive in the Eastern Conference playoff chase by rallying from an early 19-point deficit to beat the Mystics (9-23) before 13,779 at Washington.

With two games left, the Liberty is in a five-way scramble for the conference’s final three playoff berths with Charlotte (17-14), Cleveland 16-16), Connecticut (15-16) and Indiana (14-17).

Backup guard Elena Baranova led the Liberty with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Baranova replaced Vickie Johnson, who sprained her ankle.

The Mystics held leads of 10-0, 23-4 and eventually 33-19 at halftime. Chamique Holdsclaw led the Mystics with 21 points.

Detroit 71, Cleveland 56 -- Swin Cash scored 20 points and Cheryl Ford had 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Shock (23-9) beat the Rockers (16-16) before 9,132 at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit can clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with one win in its last two games.