HOUSTON, Aug. 12 (Ticker) -- The Seattle Storm could not prevent Tina Thompson and the Houston Comets from clinching a playoff berth.

Thompson scored 31 points as the Comets reached the postseason with an 89-72 triumph over the Storm.

It was the second straight game in which Thompson has produced at least 30 points. She scored a career-high 37 in Thursday's 111-110 triple-overtime defeat to Phoenix, the highest-scoring game in league history.

NBA TV highlights from Storm-Comets: Play

With Saturday's result, the Comets and Storm both finished their regular seasons at 18-16. But because Houston swept the season series, it earned the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs and bumped Seattle into the fourth slot.

As a result, the Storm will have to take on the top-seeded Los Angeles Sparks, while the Comets will meet the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs.

Houston held a 25-18 lead after one quarter, then scored the first 13 points of the second to effectively put away the game. Thompson had five points in the run and 20 in the half, which ended with the Comets ahead by a comfortable 52-35 margin.

Betty Lennox paced the Storm with 16 points.

Next Games: Seattle hosts Los Angeles on Friday, while Houston hosts Sacramento on Thursday.