Mystics Lock Up Final Playoff Berth

In training camp, Chamique Holdsclaw guaranteed the Washington Mystics would make the playoffs for the first time.

Wednesday, in Washington’s final regular-season game, on her 23rd birthday, despite a season of turmoil, she made good on her promise, finishing with 11 of her 18 points and eight of her 10 rebounds in the second half to lead the Mystics to the final Eastern Conference playoff berth with a 60-48 victory over the Cleveland Rockers at Washington.

Nikki McCray also fueled the second-half charge with 17 of her 20 points after Washington trailed, 26-24, at halftime before 17,538.

The Mystics’ postseason appearance comes after coach Nancy Darsch resigned in June when Holdsclaw said the team would never be great under Darsch’s guidance.

Washington has lost five of its last eight games and is 5-7 since former Wizard coach Darrell Walker took over for Darsch.

“We had an opportunity to clinch it two times and we didn’t, but it feels good to do it at home,” Holdsclaw said.

Washington gained the right to play first-place New York (21-11). Second-place Cleveland (17-15) will face Orlando (16-16).

Houston 77, Minnesota 64--The Comets (27-5) scored 27 points off a season-high 19 steals and made 26 of 31 free throws in the victory before 12,423 at Houston. Katie Smith had 22 points for Minnesota (15-17). Sheryl Swoopes scored 17 points to win the WNBA scoring title with a 20.7-point average over Smith (20.2).

Detroit 66, New York 63--Although the victory before 9,124 gave the host Shock the same record (14-18) as Washington, the Mystics gained the playoff berth based on head-to-head meetings. Astou Ndiaye-Diatta scored 19 points for Detroit.

Sacramento 79, Seattle 46--The host Monarchs (21-11) took a 24-4 lead and never trailed before 7,156. The Storm (6-26) finished with the WNBA’s worst record.

Phoenix 68, Portland 60--Brandy Reed scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half to lead the Mercury (20-12) over the Fire (10-22) before 9,469 at Portland, Ore.

Miami 68, Orlando 64--Former Orlando player Sheri Sam had 24 points in the Sol’s double-overtime victory before 8,917 at Miami (13-19). Taj McWilliams had 23 points and made a three-point shot to give Orlando a tie with three seconds left in the first overtime.

Indiana 67, Charlotte 51--Alicia Thompson had 15 points and the Fever (9-23) held the Sting (8-24) scoreless for eight minutes late in the second half before 11,701 at Indianapolis.