Taylor nursing sore left calf

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Phoenix Mercury look to extend their winning streak to three games and move closer to clinching a playoff spot when they visit the Western Conference-best Sacramento Monarchs tonight.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 (10 ET), and the network will cover the storylines from every angle as members of each team will be wearing live microphones during the game.

Phoenix, however, will be missing starting forward Penny Taylor, the team's second-leading scorer who stayed home to rest and rehab a sore left calf, Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka told ESPN's Nancy Lieberman.

Taylor suffered the injury in an Aug. 12 76-62 victory over Sacramento.

After routing the San Antonio Silver Stars 91-57 on Friday, Phoenix beat the Minnesota Lynx 83-69 on Sunday to get over the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Phoenix has a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Sparks for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. The Mercury are a half-game behind Houston and one back of second-place Seattle.

Phoenix hosts Houston on Thursday and visits Seattle on Saturday in its season finale.

Diana Taurasi had 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes on Sunday. She has played a total of 47 minutes over the last two games.

"Right now, when you can get fresh legs for down the stretch and get people into the game who haven't played all year, but do really well, that gives our team a lot more confidence,'' Taurasi said.

Rookie forward Sandora Irvin had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Mercury.

"It's a focus of our starters, just go out and give it their all, try to get the score up high and then let us come in and continue that,'' Irvin said.

While the Mercury are trying to clinch a postseason spot, the Monarchs have already locked up home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

On Saturday, MVP candidate Yolanda Griffith scored a season-high 26 points to lead the Monarchs to a 75-65 win over the defending champion Storm.

Sacramento has won three straight and 10 of its last 11 games, and wants to remain aggressive as it heads into the postseason.

"There is no let down, just because we're in first place doesn't mean anything,'' Griffith said. "You can finish first and get swept in the first round. Every game is important. We have to win as many games as possible and keep the momentum our way. Going into the playoffs, (everyone) is 0-0.''

Sacramento guard Kara Lawson knows home-court advantage will help the Monarchs, who are a league-best 14-2 on their floor.

"Teams are going to have to come here to ARCO and get one game in the playoffs,'' she said. "You're going to have to come in with your 'A' game and play really well if you want to get a win here.''