WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (Ticker) -- Becky Hammon was nearly perfect as the New York Liberty sealed their playoff position.

NBA TV highlights from Liberty-Mystics: 56k | 300k

Hammon made 6-of-7 shots from the floor, including 5-of-6 three-pointers, and tied a career high with 22 points as the Liberty clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 74-66 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday.

New York was in second place most of the season but benefited from Washington's recent struggles. The Liberty had a one-game lead after losing to the Mystics on Thursday but followed Hammon's lead to secure the Eastern Conference regular-season title less than 24 hours later.

For the second time in two days, Coco Miller's Mystics battled Vickie Johnson's Liberty for playoff positioning. Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images

Crystal Robinson scored 15 points and Tamika Whitmore added 10 and six rebounds for New York, which shot 52 percent (27-of-52) from the floor and made 7-of-11 three-pointers.

The Liberty moved two games ahead of the Mystics with two games to play and won the season series.

New York was clinging to a 46-44 lead before Robinson completed a three-point play to spark a 10-0 run. Hammon scored five points during the burst and Robinson capped it with a jumper for a 56-44 advantage at 8:03.

The Liberty snapped a two-game losing streak and won for the fourth time in their last five road games.

Chamique Holdsclaw collected 23 points and 10 rebounds and Stacey Dales-Schuman scored 16 points for Washington, which shot just 40 percent (24-of-59).

The Mystics lost for the eighth time in nine games and are clinging to a one-half game lead over third-place Charlotte in the East.