Jackson, Storm rout the Sparks

SEATTLE -- Lauren Jackson, the WNBA’s leading scorer and rebounder, ended her regular season with 32 points and 15 rebounds in the Seattle Storm’s 97-77 victory over the Sparks on Friday night at Seattle.

The Sparks (10-23), who had matchup problems with the Storm all season, led by four at halftime but unraveled as Seattle outscored them, 18-4, to start the fourth quarter. The loss assured the Sparks of their worst season in franchise history. The Sparks were 12-18 in 1998, the last year they failed to make the playoffs. They close the season Sunday against Houston.

Sidney Spencer, who made five of six three-point shots, led L.A. with a career-high 25 points. Marta Fernandez had 16 points.

Jackson set a league record by topping the 30-point mark for the ninth time this season for fourth-place Seattle (17-17), which will open the playoffs Friday against Western Conference champion Phoenix.

For Seattle, which has swept four games against L.A. this season, Iziane Castro Marques had 24 points and Sue Bird scored 14 points and had eight assists.

Jackson, who made 15 of 16 free throws, exited with 3 minutes 24 seconds left to chants of “M-V-P!”