Sparks end Lynx's push for playoffs

Lisa Leslie, feted before the game, scored 19 points as the Sparks routed the Lynx, extending their streak without a playoff appearance to five consecutive years.

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Last update: September 12, 2009 - 1:30 AM

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LOS ANGELES 90, LYNX 59

Up next: 8 p.m. Sunday at Sacramento • No TV (106.1-FM)

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LOS ANGELES — The Lynx won't make the playoffs, their hopes dashed Friday by a veteran playing her last home game.

Lisa Leslie, who was feted before her last regular-season game, scored 19 points and helped the Sparks take a 90-61 victory over the Lynx. Leslie, 37, announced in February that 2009 would be her final WNBA season. She will still have playoff games ahead for the Sparks (17-16).

The loss ended playoff hopes for the Lynx (15-19), who last made the WNBA playoffs in 2004. San Antonio clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the WNBA's Western Conference.

The Sparks, who led by eight points at halftime, outscored the Lynx 50-29 in the second half.

Tina Thompson also scored 19 for Los Angeles, which shot 54.5 percent and made nine of 20 shots from three-point range. The Sparks also scored 27 points off 16 Lynx turnovers.

Candace Wiggins scored 15 points for the Lynx, who shot just 28.6 percent (20-for-70) from the field. The Lynx was 2-for-20 from three-point range and tied a season low in scoring.

Quanitra Hollingsworth added 13 points for the Lynx, who finish the regular season at Sacramento on Sunday.

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