Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The Seattle Storm are one step closer to claiming the top seed in the upcoming WNBA playoffs.
Natasha Howard scored 21 points, Breanna Stewart had 17 points and a season-high 17 rebounds and the Seattle Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 81-72 Sunday night at the Target Center.
Seattle maintained its two-game lead over second-place Atlanta and reduced its magic number for the top seed in the playoffs to one. Seattle and Atlanta each have two games remaining.
Stewart scored eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, during an 11-0 run that gave the Storm (24-8) a 73-58 lead with 4:54 remaining in the game.
Jewell Loyd added 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Storm, who never trailed.
Sylvia Fowles had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Lynx (17-14). Minnesota tied the game twice in the first quarter and kept the deficit within single digits most of the way. Minnesota closed to 62-58 early in the fourth quarter before the Storm pulled away for good.
Seattle returns to action Friday at home against New York. The Storm close out the regular season Aug. 19 with a home game against Dallas.
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