Monarchs beat Comets, secure final playoff spot

Yolanda Griffith scored a season-high 23 points, helping the Sacramento Monarchs defeat the Houston Comets 68-48 on Saturday in Sacramento, Calif., and clinch the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Griffith shot 8 of 10 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line in the Monarchs’ second victory in three days against Houston, which missed the playoffs for the first time in WNBA history.

Sacramento’s win eliminated the Phoenix Mercury, who had a 1 1/2 -game lead over the Monarchs on Sept. 9 before losing four straight.

Sparks 83, Storm 80: At Seattle, in a possible Western Conference finals preview, Nikki Teasley closed out the regular season with 21 points to lead Los Angeles past Seattle.

The game had no impact on playoff positioning for either team, but both squads played a high intensity game in front of 14,884 – the largest crowd in Seattle Storm history.

All five Sparks starters scored in double figures to help Los Angeles take the season series, 3-1.

Lauren Jackson led Seattle with 22 points and Sheri Sam added 21.

Mwadi Mabika had 12 first-half points for L.A., Teasley adding 11.