Sparks seal second place in WNBA West

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Sparks secured second place in the WNBA Western Conference by beating Phoenix Mercury 101-76 Thursday. Candace Parker had 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, booking a second place that ensures the Sparks will open the first round of the playoffs at home, where they have won nine straight and are 15-1 this season. LA concludes the regular season Thursday against first-place Minnesota. Parker had a double-double by the third quarter and had four blocks. New York missed a chance to open that gap when they were beaten 77-66 by San Antonio Silver Stars. — AP