Newly-retired Australian Opals star Penny Taylor grabbed a career-high six steals to help the Phoenix Mercury move to the brink of clinching a WNBA playoffs berth.
Taylor also scored 14 points as the Mercury defeated the Atlanta Dream 86-75 at home.
Superstar teammate Brittney Griner had 21 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.
The Mercury need either one more victory or a loss by Washington to clinch a postseason berth.
Phoenix (14-17) never trailed and took control during the second quarter with an 18-0 run that made it 47-29 with 1:25 left in the half.
Atlanta (16-15) got back to 53-46, but the Mercury rebuilt their lead to 18 at 72-54 and went unchallenged through the fourth quarter.
Diana Taurasi had 17 points and Candice Dupree added 15 for the Mercury.
Tiffany Hayes had 22 points and Bria Holmes added 14 for the Dream, who fell into a three-way tie for fourth place with Indiana and Chicago.
