WNBA ROUNDUP Wednesday's games

Sting 72, Lynx 68
MINNEAPOLIS -- Charlotte Smith-Taylor and Allison Feaster both scored 17 points, leading Charlotte over Minnesota. Dawn Staley had 10 assists and made two free throws in the final seconds for the Sting (14-15), who shot 54 percent. Charlotte moved into a three-way tie for third, one game behind Eastern Conference-leading New York. Nicole Ohlde had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Svetlana Abrosimova added 15 points for the Lynx (16-13).
Storm 86, Shock 67
SEATTLE -- Sue Bird led Seattle with 23 points and Lauren Jackson returned from a three-game absence to score 15, helping Seattle snap a three-game losing streak. Jackson, the league MVP, was activated before the game after resting a sprained foot and visiting her ill grandmother in Australia. Betty Lennox added 15 points, and Bird made 8-of-9 shots. Cheryl Ford led Detroit with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Swin Cash added 15 and Deanna Nolan had 14.
Mercury 72, Sparks 58
PHOENIX -- Rookie Diana Taurasi had 21 points and eight assists to lead Phoenix over Los Angeles, snapping the Sparks' seven-game winning streak. Penny Taylor and Anna DeForge had 17 points apiece for Phoenix (16-13), which moved into a tie with Minnesota for third place in the Western Conference with its fourth straight win. Lisa Leslie had 20 points and 14 rebounds -- her 16th double-double -- for the Sparks, who have the best record in the WNBA (21-8).
Associated Press