Comets clinch third

Tina Thompson powered the Houston Comets into the WNBA playoffs.

Thompson, playing in just her second game after missing 13 contests with a calf injury, scored 31 points and had seven rebounds Saturday to help Houston beat Seattle 89-72 in Houston.

Thompson became only the third player in franchise history to score 30 or more points in consecutive games after she scored a career-high 37 points Thursday against Phoenix.

Houston (18-16) clinched the third seed in the Western Conference and will play Sacramento in the first round.

Seattle (18-16), seeded fourth, will begin the playoffs against Los Angeles. Houston earned the third seed by winning all three games this season against Seattle.

Betty Lennox led Seattle with 16 points and Sue Bird had 14.

Playing without leading scorer Lauren Jackson for the second straight game, Seattle shot 49 percent.

The Storm also committed 19 turnovers, which Houston turned into 21 points.

Mercury 95, Silver Stars 93: At San Antonio, Diana Taurasi scored 26 points and Kelly Miller added 20 to lead Phoenix to a victory over San Antonio.

Sting 84, Sky 57: At Charlotte, N.C., Sheri Sam scored 18 points to lead Charlotte to a win over expansion Chicago, handing the Sky their WNBA-record 29th loss of the season.