LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Lisa Leslie scored 26 points and Chamique Holdsclaw added 22 and 12 rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks pulled away in the second quarter en route to a 98-84 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

Named to the WNBA's All-Decade team Tuesday, Leslie made 11-of-15 shots and collected eight assists and seven boards despite committing seven turnovers for the Sparks, who shot 58 percent (39-of-67).

NBA TV highlights from Mercury-Sparks: Play

Christi Thomas contributed 18 points for Los Angeles, which won its third straight contest and improved to 17-2 all-time at the Staples Center against Phoenix and virtually sealed the win in the second period.

Trailing 24-23, at the start of the period, the Sparks used a 21-5 surge for a 44-29 advantage with 3:09 left before the break. Thomas scored 10 during the burst, including a short jumper to cap the burst.

Diana Taurasi netted a career-high 32 points on 12-of-21 shooting - including 7-of-12 from the arc - and rookie Cappie Pondexter added 20 points for the Mercury, who had their two-game winning streak snapped.