The Phoenix loss guaranteed the Los Angeles Sparks fourth place-- hence a playoff berth-- in the West. In Houston, L.A. responded by mailing it in. The Comets led by 25 points at halftime: no Sparks player reached double figures.

10.5K fans enjoyed the blowout. Sancho Lyttle: "As we started, we knew we were going to win, but we piled it on. We didn't let up."

Houston's win looks more impressive because Swoopes did not play: does she have a stomach virus (as the Chronicle reports)? Or did Van Chancellor simply choose not to risk her?