SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 690.

Records -- Sparks 8-6, Mercury 3-10.

Record vs. Mercury -- 0-1.

Update -- The Sparks’ 61-58 win at Indiana on Tuesday was one of their most important of the season. Not only did it keep them within two games of front-running Sacramento, but it prevented a downward spiral that could have started after the team had blown a 25-point lead in Detroit. Phoenix’s spiral has hit bottom -- as in the Western Conference cellar. A shakeup has begun -- this week Phoenix traded third-year forward Plenette Pierson to Detroit for veteran Andrea Stinson, who was immediately waived, and a 2006 second-round draft pick. That cleared a roster opening for veteran center Maria Stepanova, who last played for Phoenix in 2001. The 6-foot-8 Russian missed the 2002 season when pregnant with son Nikolai and last year stayed in Russia to play with its Olympic team.

Tickets -- (213) 480-3232.

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-- Mike Terry