SEATTLE — For the third straight matchup, the Seattle Storm lost a close game to the Los Angeles Sparks, this time 91-85 at home on Monday night.

The Storm, 22-20 and in the eighth seed, led practically the entire game, but now leave the door open for the 19-20 Sparks to take their spot in the WNBA playoff hunt. Though unlikely, Seattle could win its final two games and still finish below LA as the Sparks won the season series. Only the top eight teams can qualify for a postseason spot, as Indiana (21-19) and Golden State (21-18) also compete to extend their seasons.

In this game, late contributions from LA’s star trio of Dearica Hamby (27 points, 11 rebounds), Rickea Jackson (23 points) and Kelsey Plum (14 points, seven assists) sunk the Storm on a 21-7 run over the final seven minutes.

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