Storm fall short of playoff clincher

LOS ANGELES – Candace Parker scored a season-high 27 points and the Los Angeles Sparks beat Seattle 68-62 Tuesday night, denying the Storm a chance to clinch a playoff berth.

Parker scored 10 of her points in the fourth quarter, including hitting three free throws in the final minute to seal it.

Tina Thompson had 12 points and Ebony Hoffman added 11 to help the Sparks (13-17) remain 11/2 games behind San Antonio for the final playoff spot in the West.

Sue Bird led the Storm (17-13) with 15 points.

Hoffman’s jumper put the Sparks ahead 65-57 with 2:12 remaining. Bird answered with a 3-pointer, but Jackson then missed a 3-pointer and Swin Cash came up empty on a jumper. Parker who hit 1 of 2 free throws for a 66-60 lead before adding two more.