Bird’s 20 points lead Seattle to win over Minnesota

Sue Bird scored a season-high-tying 20 to lead the Seattle Storm over the Minnesota Lynx 72-66 Friday night in Minneapolis.

Lauren Jackson had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Janell Burse added 10 points for Seattle (16-12), which won for just the second time in nine road games.

The Storm stretched their lead to one game over the Houston Comets for second place in the West. Seattle visits Houston Sunday.

Chandi Jones scored a career-high 16 points and Vanessa Hayden added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota (13-16), which was playing its fourth game in six nights. The Lynx dropped into a tie with Los Angeles for fifth place in the West.

Liberty 82, Sting 74 (2OT): Shameka Christon scored seven of her 18 points in the second overtime, and New York overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to beat league-worst Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C.

Christon hit two jumpers and had a three-point play in a game-ending 11-3 run for the Liberty, who trailed 34-16 late in the first half.

Vickie Johnson scored 20 points and Elena Baranova added 18 points and 10 rebounds as New York (15-13) moved into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of Washington.

Mercury 76, Monarchs 62: Penny Taylor led five Phoenix players in double figures with 23 points as the Mercury snapped visiting Sacramento’s seven-game winning streak.

The Mercury (13-13) moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Maria Stepanova and Anna DeForge each had 14 points for Phoenix, which has won 10 of 12.