TINA CHARLES

Brittney Griner anchored a dominant frontcourt that made the U.S. women’s basketball team the favorites in any international tournament.

Washington may face the Seattle Storm, led by Breanna Stewart, in the opening round.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Breanna Stewart made four free throws in the final 12 seconds and finished with 18 points, Tina Charles scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Seattle used a big second-half run to beat the Washington Mystics 82-77 Saturday and clinch a berth in the WNBA playoffs. Seattle (19-11), which had lost three of its previous four games, took sole possession of fourth in the league standings — a game ahead of the fifth-place Mystics and 1 1/2 games behind No. The Storm have won the first two games of their three-game regular season series with Washington, which wraps up when the teams meet again Sunday. Washington (18-12) had won three games in a row and five of its last 6. Delle Donne led the Mystics with 22 points and Atkins scored 13.

Brondello feels that the Liberty are in control of their playoff chances still. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (Mary Altaffer)New York coach Sandy Brondello isn't scoreboard watching with the Liberty two games out of a playoff spot — and may not have too. Los Angeles (12-15): The Sparks need to find consistent offensive help for Nneka Ogwumike to make a run at the playoffs. Skylar Diggins-Smith of Phoenix, Nneka Ogwumike of Los Angeles, Candace Parker of Chicago and A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas also received votes. ANOTHER DIVORCEThe Los Angeles Sparks announced Tuesday that they have agreed to a contract divorce with Liz Cambage.

The New York Liberty are currently two games out of a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 29: Tina Charles #31 of the Seattle Storm warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on June 29, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Storm center eclipsed 7,000 points in the first half of a 82-72 win over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. Her dominating performance in her second start for the Storm came alongside one by frontcourt mate Breanna Stewart, a leading MVP candidate. Charles put up a double-double before halftime and finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, one assist and one steal. The game also broke Charles' tie with Leslie for most regular season games of at least 25 points and 15 rebounds.

FILE - Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) talks with Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) during the second half of a single-game WNBA basketball playoff matchup, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Seattle's Sue Bird and Mercury star Diana Taurasi share the court perhaps for the last time in a WNBA clash in Phoenix, Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)20 years ago, a UConn sophomore named Diana Taurasi saw her senior point guard Sue Bird finish her college career. Taurasi and Bird took the court for the final time in the regular season on Friday, with Bird's Seattle Storm visiting the Phoenix Mercury, and you better believe Taurasi and the Mercury had a gift ready. Diana Taurasi gifted Sue Bird a custom pair of Nikes before their last regular season game against each other ❤️🐐(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/v4fuzcVice — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 23, 2022Bird and Taurasi could still play against each other should their teams make the playoffs. Before the game, the @PhoenixMercury honored Briann January (@BriannJanuary) and her contributions in Phoenix 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Jter9Bodoi — WNBA (@WNBA) July 23, 2022This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sports at https://sports.yahoo.com/diana-taurasi-mercury-say-goodbye-to-sue-bird-with-custom-shoes-033201432.html

The Las Vegas Aces have come out of the All-Star break on a roll, winning three road games and scoring more than 100 points in two of victories.

Aces Storm Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird stops as Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) (Dean Rutz)SEATTLE — (AP) — Sue Bird became the WNBA's leader in career wins with 324 on Wednesday night as the Seattle Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 88-78. But Las Vegas tied it at 60 later in the quarter after a 13-2 run. Kelsey Plum scored 16 points, Jackie Young added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Chelsea Gray had 10 points and eight assists. Wilson had a double-double in the first half with 11 points and 11 rebounds to help Las Vegas lead 47-44.

The WNBA enters the final week of the regular season with many playoff positions still to be decided as well as the final postseason berth.

The WNBA playoff chase may come down to the final day of the regular season on Sept. 19.

Elena Delle Donne and Chiney Ogwumike will have a major impact on the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks playoff chances now that they're back on the basketball court.

A’ja Wilson scored 22 points and Breanna Stewart added 17 to help the U.S. beat France 93-82.

The U.S. has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented post players, possibly the best ever assembled. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (Charlie Neibergall)SAITAMA, Japan — (AP) — The U.S. has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented post players, possibly the best ever assembled. The quintet combined for 56 of the team's 81 points and 45 rebounds in the nine-point opening win over Nigeria. Griner and Fowles, who are probably the most traditional of the post players have also developed mid-range shots. Japan's coach Tom Hovasse said that he’s going to have one of his “taller” players guard Griner when the two teams play on Friday.

The U.S. has five of the best post players in the world.

No team has been playing better than Minnesota the past few weeks as the WNBA enters its monthlong Olympic break.

With less than a week remaining before the WNBA begins its Olympic break, teams are jockeying for position in the standings knowing that it will be a sprint to the finish once play resumes in August following the Tokyo Games and a monthlong hiatus.

The Chicago Sky are at full strength and moving up the WNBA standings after a slow start due to injuries.

Storm Fever Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird drives as Indiana Fever's Jantel Lavender defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (Darron Cummings)Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will try and become the first five-time Olympic gold medalists in basketball as they lead the U.S women's team at the Tokyo Games. The duo was selected for their fifth Olympics on Monday, joining Teresa Edwards as the only basketball players in U.S. history to play in five. Edwards won four gold medals and a bronze in her illustrious Olympic career. “USA Basketball has never been in a better place,” said U.S. head coach Dawn Staley, who won three Olympic gold medals as a player and helped the team win two more as an assistant coach.

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will try and become the first five-time Olympic gold medalists in women’s basketball as they lead the U.S. team during the Tokyo Games.

The U.S. women’s basketball team has a few questions surrounding its roster as the Americans to make a run at a seventh consecutive gold medal in the Olympics.

Karl Malone and Elgin Baylor were NBA stars, but their teams didn’t earn the top prize.

Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes appreciated what former UConn teammate Maya Moore was doing when the All-Star forward stepped away from basketball two years ago to focus on criminal justice reform. UConn coach Geno Auriemma has been impressed by what many of his former players are accomplishing off the court. They were following who they are.Montgomery and Hayes smiled at the thought that a dozen years ago the UConn players had any aspirations of being social activists. Both Hayes and Montgomery loved seeing Auriemma and his wife and family at a protest in his community last month. I knew my mind wasnt there, my heart wasnt there, Montgomery said.