SEATTLE — Candace Parker scored 20 points, including a key layup with two minutes left, and the Los Angeles Sparks advanced to the WNBA Western Conference finals with a 71-64 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles will host San Antonio in Game 1 on Thursday.
In Auburn Hills, Mich., the Detroit Shock advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with an 80-61 victory over the Indiana Fever.
The Shock will face the New York Liberty in the conference finals, with Game 1 on Friday.
Ohio State’s Wells probable
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells, who has been out of action since injuring his right foot in Ohio State’s season opener, is likely to return for the Buckeyes against Minnesota on Saturday.
• Washington State quarterback Kevin Lopina fractured a bone in his lower back in Saturday’s victory over Portland State and will be out indefinitely. Redshirt freshman Marshall Lobbestael is expected to start Saturday against Oregon.
Also, junior linebacker Jason Stripling will will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
• Notre Dame tight end Will Yeatman can practice but can’t play until prosecutors decide whether to formally press alcohol-related charges against him, coach Charlie Weis said.
Contador could leave Astana
MADRID, Spain — If Lance Armstrong joins the Astana cycling team for his comeback, then Alberto Contador is ready to leave.
“I think I’ve earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place,” said Contador, the 2007 Tour de France champion. “And with Armstrong some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first, and that would hurt me.”
Armstrong is expected to discuss his comeback today in New York. Armstrong has made major moves toward forming a team of riders younger than 23, and Taylor Phinney of Boulder is on the cusp of signing, Taylor and his father, Davis Phinney, said.
Footnotes.
AJ Allmendinger lost his ride at Red Bull Racing, paving the way for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to replace him next season.
• Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy reported to a minimum- security prison in Pensacola, Fla., where he was sentenced to 15 months after pleading guilty to charges he provided inside gambling information
• Lewis Hamilton lost his appeal to overturn his penalty from the Belgian Grand Prix, leaving the McLaren driver with a one-point lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa in the Formula One standings with four races remaining.
• Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason will be out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
• Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, tore two ligaments in his right knee during a golf outing and is expected to miss the entire season.
• The NCAA upheld sanctions against Arkansas’ track and field program, although the school still hopes to keep two national titles in question.
Denver Post wire services
