PHOENIX (AP) — Sue Bird had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists to help the Seattle Storm beat the Phoenix Mercury 71-57 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Seeded fourth in the West, Seattle (16-18) played its regulars most of the game in advance of its playoff series with defending champion Minnesota that begins Friday. The Storm have reached the postseason a WNBA-record nine consecutive seasons.
With their seventh straight loss, the last-place Mercury (7-27) recorded its worst season in franchise history, surpassing an 8-26 mark in 2003. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
DeWanna Bonner had 13 points to lead Phoenix.
