Houston ? DeLisha Milton scored 18 points and the Los Angeles Sparks took over the top spot in the Western Conference with a 64-63 win Saturday over the Houston Comets.

The Comets (19-10) had their nine-game home winning streak snapped and fell a game behind the Sparks. Los Angeles (21-10) won its second straight since Lisa Leslie returned from a bruised right knee Thursday.

The Sparks went on an 18-8 run in the second half to take a 58-48 lead with 7:47 remaining. Houston rallied, coming back from a nine-point deficit with three minutes left, but Sheryl Swoopes’ potential game-winner deflected high off the backboard with just over two seconds left in the game.

“With a team like Houston, even if you’re up by 20 points, they are never really out of it because they have great players,” Milton said. “Swoopes almost won the game for them and they have Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain. They can really get it done out there.”

Houston scored the last eight points of the game, making eight straight shots from the free-throw line, but Swoopes was unable to convert after the Comets held Los Angeles to a shot clock violation.

“It was a great comeback, but we just couldn’t do it today,” Swoopes said. “They played great defense, but we’ll be all right. L.A. is a great team.”

Kansas University product Tamecka Dixon had 14 points for the Sparks, and Leslie added 13. Thompson had 18 for Houston, which had won a season-high five straight.

Lynx 73, Silver Stars 64

San Antonio — Katie Smith scored 17 points and Tamika Williams had 13 as Minnesota beat San Antonio. Adrienne Goodsen scored 20 points for San Antonio (11-20), which led 47-45 with 15:14 left in the second half. But Minnesota answered with a 9-0 run that included back-to-back three-pointers by Smith and Kristi Harrower.

Fever 69, Sting 63

Indianapolis — The Indiana Fever’s fading playoff hopes are still alive, thanks to Natalie Williams. Williams scored 15 points and tied a franchise record with 17 rebounds as the Fever beat Charlotte, snapping a six-game losing streak.

Sun 84, Liberty 71

New York — Nykesha Sales scored 22 points, leading Connecticut past New York. Vickie Johnson led New York with 19 points, with 10 coming in the second half.

Rockers 72, Mystics 68

Washington — Penny Taylor scored 16 points and LaToya Thomas added 14 as Cleveland withstood a second-half run by Washington. Washington’s Chamique Holdsclaw led all players with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Monarchs 65,

Mercury 61, OT

Phoenix — Yolanda Griffith had 16 points and 12 rebounds and did Phoenix in with a crucial steal. Anna DeForge had 15 points for Phoenix.