Sunday, September 14 2008 -- Sunday, September 14, 2008-- The regular season for the WNBA ended today, with five games on the schedule.

The Phoenix Mercury (16-18), who were the WNBA champions last year, have become the first champions not to be able to defend their title. And in their last game of the season, they lost to the Indiana Fever (17-17), 103 - 89.

The Detroit Shock (22-12) barely squeaked by the New York Liberty (19-15), 61-59.

The Houston Comets (16-17) defeated the Chicago Sky (12-22), 9-76.

The Minnesota Lynx (16-18), in a bright spot in the second half of their season, defeated the Washington Mystics, 96-70. The Lynx had gotten out to the best start of their franchise, but their winning streak was matched by a losing streak of equal length.

And finally, the Los Angeles Sparks (20-14) beat up on the Seattle Storm (20-12), 65-48.

The playoffs begin on Friday, September 19, 2008.