San Antonio Silver Stars at Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner, Mercury clinch West's final playoff spot

Candice Dupree had 18 points and eight rebounds for Phoenix (16-13), which reached the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons after missing the postseason a year ago and then selecting Griner with the first overall pick in this year's WNBA draft.

Phoenix, which improved to 6-2 under interim coach Russ Pennell, led by 18 in the second half before San Antonio got within two in the final minute. Diana Taurasi then made three of four free throws in the final 23 seconds to help secure the win.

Danielle Adams had 26 points, including nine in the final 3:34, and Jia Perkins added 14 for the Silver Stars (11-20), who have lost five of their past seven.

The Mercury lead fourth-place Seattle by 1 1/2 games and would face second-place Los Angeles in the first round.

Taurasi had 21 points and seven assists for Phoenix, which took advantage of San Antonio's poor shooting.

The Silver Stars made 37 percent from the field and were outrebounded 43-33.

Jayne Appel grabbed 17 rebounds for San Antonio before fouling out with 1:25 remaining.

The Mercury opened up an early 10-2 lead but San Antonio bounced back, sparked by Perkins' two 3-pointers to erase the lead.

But the Silver Stars shot only 35 percent from the field in the first half, and the Mercury took a 42-32 advantage at the break behind Dupree's 12 points.

The teams have split their four meetings this year.

Regular Season Series

PHX wins series 3-2