Los Angeles ? Laura Macchi, a rookie from Italy, joined two of her more well-known teammates to help the Los Angeles Sparks. Macchi had career highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds in the Sparks’ 96-76 victory over the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.

Mwadi Mabika scored 21 points, and Lisa Leslie added 18 points for the Sparks, who earned their eighth victory in nine games.

Macchi joined the Sparks this year after averaging 23 points and 6.5 rebounds for Pool Comense in Italy. She also played eight years for Italy’s junior national team.

“I think this is the best,” Macchi said of the WNBA. “For me, it’s a dream to play here.”

Leslie is impressed by Macchi’s “ability to get to the ball and finish.”

Macchi’s defense held Chamique Holdsclaw, the WNBA’s leading scorer, to 15 points on 6-for-20 shooting.

Kansas University product Tamecka Dixon had 12 points for the Sparks.

Alana Beard and Chastity Melvin each scored 16 points for the Mystics, who have lost three consecutive games and four of five.

Mercury 87, Silver Stars 55

Phoenix — Diana Taurasi had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, and the Mercury snapped a five-game losing streak. Plenette Pierson scored a season-high 20 points, and Penny Taylor added 16 for Phoenix.

Sun 78, Shock 68

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 17 points, and Nykesha Sales had 16 to help Connecticut snap a three-game losing streak. Reserve Le’Coe Willingham added 12 points for the Sun, now 10-2 against the Eastern Conference. Deanna Nolan led the Shock with 20 points, and Swin Cash added 18 for Detroit.