The Sacramento Monarchs are running out of time to claim home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Monarchs begin a three-game homestand Sunday night when they try to deal a blow to the postseason hopes of the Washington Mystics.
Sacramento (17-13) completed a disappointing 1-3 road trip with an 83-75 loss at Houston on Friday night. Leading scorer Nicole Powell made just 3-of-9 shots for 14 points. Powell, who averages 12.5 points, had a forgettable trip as she averaged 7.3 points on 20 percent (7-of-35) shooting.
The Monarchs trail San Antonio by two games in the race for the No. 2 seed with four games left for both teams. They host the Silver Stars on Wednesday and could be without two starters for this game.
Point guard Ticha Penicheiro missed her first game Friday after pulling a hamstring in a 72-61 loss at San Antonio the day before. Kristin Haynie scored seven points in her place, and it's unclear whether Penicheiro will return.
The Monarchs also lost center Yolanda Griffith to a hyperextended right knee in the fourth quarter. She's also listed as day-to-day.
Sacramento, which won the title two years ago and won the West last season, owns the best home record in the conference at 10-4.
Washington (14-16) is 1 1/2 games ahead of New York for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Mystics gave up the first 18 points of the second half in a 91-68 loss at Seattle on Saturday.
"They came out in the second half determined and got us back on our heels," Mystics forward Monique Currie said. "We couldn't compete with that."
It was a difficult night for leading scorer Alana Beard, who scored 13 points on 3-of-14 shooting. She entered the game averaging 21.8 points.
The Monarchs have dominated the Mystics over the years, winning 14 of 17 matchups. They limited Washington to 32 percent shooting in a 70-52 road win on May 22.
The Mystics fell to 1-7 all-time at Arco Arena with a 99-95 loss in double overtime in last year's visit on Aug. 5. Four Washington players fouled out.
