Liberty Almost Receives a Shock

Vickie Johnson and Tari Phillips each scored 17 points to lead the New York Liberty over the Detroit Shock, 66-63, on Wednesday night in New York.

Crystal Robinson scored 10 points for New York (18-9), which trails Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland by 2 1/2 games with five games remaining.

Elena Tornikidou scored a season-high 22 points and Wendy Palmer had 15 for Detroit, which has the worst record in the WNBA at 7-19. Detroit has lost eight of its last 10.

The Liberty, who play four of their last five games at home, improved to 10-2 at Madison Square Garden.

Utah 71, Houston 63--Natalie Williams scored 18 points and Adrienne Goodson had 15, and Utah extended its winning streak to five in the game at Houston.

Janeth Arcain scored 18 points for Houston (16-9), which lost for the seventh time in 11 games.

Tina Thompson scored 17 points for the Comets.

Minnesota 68, Phoenix 63--Katie Smith scored 36 points at Phoenix and the Lynx ended a five-game losing streak.

Smith, the WNBA’s leading scorer who also played in the ABL, surpassed 3,000 points for her professional career.

Svetlana Abrosimova scored 16 points for the Lynx.

The loss left the Mercury three games behind Utah in the race for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference with seven games remaining.

Orlando 65, Portland 63--Nykesha Sales scored 21 points and made a crucial steal in the final seconds at Orlando.

Shannon Johnson had 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Miracle (10-16), which pulled within two games of idle Charlotte for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Jackie Stiles scored 13 points for Portland (11-15).

Indiana 70, Washington 64--Jurgita Streimikyte scored a career-high 21 points and had eight rebounds for Indiana at Indianapolis.

Streimikyte, who shot 8-for-11, finished with eight rebounds for Indiana (9-17).

Gordana Grubin scored 17 points and Angie Braziel had 11 for Indiana (9-17).

Chamique Holdsclaw scored 27 points for Washington (8-17). Nikki McCray scored 14 and Vicky Bullett had 10.