Storm rally past Lynx

SEATTLE – Sue Bird had 21 of her 23 points in the second half and the Seattle Storm rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-88 Saturday night.

The victory gave the Storm a franchise record of 21 wins in a season. Seattle (21-10) moved one game ahead of idle San Antonio (19-10) atop the Western Conference with three games remaining.

The Storm clinched their fifth consecutive playoff berth with a win Thursday at Chicago.

Five Seattle players scored in double figures as the Storm surpassed their franchise record for victories in a season. The Storm won 20 games in 2004 and 2005.

Tanisha Wright and Swin Cash had 17 points for Seattle, Camille Little 16 and Yolanda Griffith 11. The Storm improved their record to 15-1 at home.

Seimone Augustus had 26 points to lead Minnesota (14-16). Lindsey Harding had 11 points and 10 assists for the Lynx.

Seattle trailed by 13 points early in the third quarter before it outscored the Lynx 22-9 to tie the score at 57. Little had eight points to lead the comeback. Bird scored Seattle’s final six points to give the Storm a 68-66 lead after three quarters.

Bird missed all four of her shots from the field in the opening half. She had one assist.