The San Antonio Stars won their way into a first-round series against the Lynx, beating Chicago 84-72 in Rosemont, Ill.
The victory made the Stars (16-18) the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They will open the best-of-three first-round series Thursday in Target Center. The second game will be Saturday in San Antonio.
The Stars and Sky had already clinched playoff berths, and Chicago opted to rest three regulars: Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles and Epiphanny Prince. However, 16-year veteran Becky Hammon was on the court for San Antonio in her final regular-season WNBA game and finished with four assists in 10 minutes.
Danielle Adams led a balanced offense with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jia Perkins scored 13 points while Shenise Johnson and Kayla McBride each added 12 for San Antonio (16-18). The Stars pulled into a tie for third place with Los Angeles in the Western Conference, but earned the No. 3 seed in the playoffs because they won the season series from the Sparks.
Courtney Clements led Chicago (15-19) with 17 points, while Allie Quigley added 16. The Sky finished fourth in the East and fill face first-place Atlanta in the first round.
LIBERTY 73, FEVER 61
NEW YORK -- Plenette Pierson scored 15 points and Anna Cruz added 10 to help New York close a disappointing season with its second straight win.
With the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs already clinched, Indiana rested star Tamika Catchings along with starters Erlana Larkins and Briann January. The Fever (16-18) will open up the playoffs at home against Washington.
