Sparks fall short on road

SAN ANTONIO -- Edwige Lawson-Wade scored a career-high 14 points and Ann Wauters had 12 to help the San Antonio Silver Stars clinch a spot in the WNBA playoffs with a 76-58 win over the Sparks on Friday night.

It will be the second consecutive playoff appearance for the Silver Stars (20-10), who also got 11 points from Becky Hammon.

The Sparks (18-13) were looking for their fifth consecutive victory and second over San Antonio in six days. They were led by 17 points from Candace Parker.

After trailing by six in the first quarter, the Sparks took their only lead on Temeka Johnson’s layup 1:26 into the second quarter.

--

TONIGHT

at Houston, 5:30 PDT

Site -- Reliant Arena.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks (18-13); Comets (14-15).

Record vs. Comets -- 1-1.

Update -- Houston forward Tina Thompson is coming off her best game of the season, but it came during her team’s third consecutive loss since returning from the Olympic break. The 90-87 overtime defeat Tuesday against the visiting New York Liberty was a big setback to Houston’s playoff hopes. Thompson, a former USC standout, scored 34 points against the Liberty.

-- Dan Arritt