From The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi scored 24 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury to their fifth straight win, an 87-73 victory Sunday over the Sacramento Monarchs in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Penny Taylor added 14 points and Cappie Pondexter 13 for Phoenix (23-11), which goes into the postseason as the top seed from the Western Conference after winning 11 of its last 12 games.

Rebekkah Brunson had 24 points and 13 rebounds for No. 3 seed Sacramento (19-15).

The Mercury open the postseason at No. 4 seed Seattle on Friday night. The Monarchs begin the playoffs at home against second-seeded San Antonio on Thursday night.

Both teams played their regulars most of the game Sunday until the fourth quarter. The Mercury went on a 15-2 run midway through the third quarter to open up a close game. Taurasi scored eight points and Taylor had seven during the run that gave Phoenix a 60-45 lead with 3:05 left in the period. Sacramento never got closer than 11 the rest of the way.

The Mercury got out to a 29-19 lead early in the second quarter, but the Monarchs ran off eight straight points and trailed 43-40 at the break.

Sacramento shot 23-for-82 (28 percent) and go into the playoffs 5-6 in their last 11 games. The Monarchs have been in the playoffs five straight years. Phoenix’s only loss since July 20 is a 111-101 decision at first-round playoff opponent Seattle.

The Mercury have led the league in scoring two years in a row. The only other club to do that was the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02. Phoenix won all four meetings with Sacramento this season and has beaten the Monarchs six straight times.