Only ten days ago, Charlotte was sitting atop the East. Since then, the Sting have lost three straight, bringing their season to an early end.

Detroit used the energy from a huge home crowd to rally for the big win. "This was a game about who wanted it more," coach Laimbeer said. "When they finally decided they wanted to win the game, they did."

The Shock have had an up-and-down season. At times, it seemed like they might head all the way back to the bottom of the East, but they pulled together and finished strong. “I feel that we can exhale now,” Barb Farris said of making the playoffs. “We’re grateful and appreciative.”