Lynx, Mercury in 4-way tie for final two playoff spots

PHOENIX (AP) – Sylvia Fowles had 16 points, Aerial Powers scored 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 86-77 Wednesday to complete a three-game series sweep.

Minnesota moved into a four-way tie for seventh, battling Atlanta, New York and Phoenix for the final two playoff spots.

The Lynx play Seattle on Friday and Connecticut on Sunday to close the regular season. Phoenix plays Dallas on Friday and Chicago on Sunday.

Powers made a layup in traffic to give Minnesota a 78-74 lead and she added two free throws on their next possession for a six-point lead. Moriah Jefferson put Minnesota ahead 84-77 with 35.2 seconds left on a jumper from the free-throw line.

Port Wing native, Mercury’s Megan Gustafson scored a career-high 15 points.