WNBA Roundup: Parker lifts Sparks over Mercury

PHOENIX (AP) -- Candace Parker had 27 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 99-88 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night.

Sparks rookie Nneka Ogwumike added 22 points, 13 in the second half, for the Sparks, who have won three of their first four games of the season.

Candice Dupree had 24 points to lead the Mercury (1-2).

Parker had eight of her points in the final five minutes after Phoenix rallied to within 83-80 after Los Angeles had opened up an 11-point lead late in the third.

Mystics 64, Shock 61

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Matee Ajavon scored 19 points and Crystal Langhorne added 15 points and 10 rebounds to help the Mystics fend off the Shock.

Monique Currie had 15 points as the Mystics (1-1) won despite committing 32 turnovers. Dating back to the 2011 season, Washington had lost five straight and 14 of 15 games.

After Ajavon's fast break layup put the Mystics ahead 58-43 early in the fourth quarter, the Shock stormed back with a 14-0 run. Following an exchange of baskets that kept Washington ahead, Currie's jump shot and Langhorne's free throw extended the Mystics lead to 63-59 with 1:36 remaining.

Glory Johnson's layup with 1:23 on the clock pulled the Shock closer at 63-61, but it would be the last basket of the game. Langhorne added another free throw with 4.1 seconds remaining, putting the Mystics up by three. Following a timeout, Washington's closing defense kept Tulsa from getting off a shot in regulation.

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