Thompson Right at Home on Road at Phoenix

The Sparks’ first-round opponent was set Monday night when Tina Thompson returned to the scene of her WNBA All-Star game most-valuable-player performance and pretty much duplicated it.

Thompson had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Houston in a 71-54 win before 10,770 at Phoenix that cemented a fourth-place finish for the Mercury. Phoenix plays the Sparks on Friday night in the first round of the playoffs.

Defending champion Houston opens at Sacramento.

Thompson is starting to enjoy playing at Phoenix.

“It’s a recent turn of events,” she said. “I usually stink it up pretty bad here. Whatever is going on in these last couple of games, I hope it continues.”

Sheryl Swoopes had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Comets (26-5). Brandy Reed scored 21 points and Jennifer Gillom added 11 for Phoenix (19-12).

Three-time scoring champion Cynthia Cooper was held to six points, only the second time in her career she didn’t score in double figures. Cooper also had six points in an 80-62 loss to Phoenix on June 3.

Comet Coach Van Chancellor said the flow of the game kept Cooper’s points down.

“We’re playing a lot of different lineups,” Chancellor said.

Swoopes had seven points during a 17-0 run by Houston midway through the second half.

The Mercury, who never led, tied it, 41-41, on a free throw by Dena Head 7:39 into the second half. But Thompson gave the Comets the lead with a three-point play 17 seconds later. In the next seven minutes, Swoopes made three jump shots and a free throw, Thompson made her fifth three-pointer in five tries and Cooper made a basket.

Orlando 65, Washington 57--Nykesha Sales scored 16 points for the Miracle (16-15) in its win before 7,090 at Orlando.

The Miracle, 0-2 in previous meetings with the Mystics (13-18), played most of the second half without Taj McWilliams, who sprained her right ankle with 18:35 remaining.

McWilliams, who entered the game leading the Miracle in rebounding, did not return. Her status for Wednesday’s game is uncertain.

The Mystics got within 52-45 on a basket by Vicky Bullett with 4:41 left but couldn’t get any closer.

Chamique Holdsclaw and Bullett each had 14 points for Washington but they were a combined 10 for 29 from the field.

Detroit 74, Indiana 63--Astou Ndiaye-Diatta and Wendy Palmer scored 18 points each for the Shock (13-18) in its win before 12,213 at Indianapolis.

Detroit’s win, coupled with Washington’s loss at Orlando, kept the Shock’s playoff hopes alive. The teams are tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Ndiaye-Diatta grabbed eight rebounds and Claudia Maria das Neves added 12 points for Detroit, which ended a four-game losing streak.

Kara Wolters scored 14 points for Indiana (8-23).

Utah 83, Portland 73--Natalie Williams scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Starzz (17-14) in their win before 7,555 at Salt Lake City.

Michelle VanGorp led Portland (10-21) with 16 points. Tara Williams added 15 for the Fire, who cut an 11-point deficit to two before faltering.