SEATTLE — Sunday’s memorable game was set in seattle storm celebrated sue bird19 seasons with the franchise prior to her final regular season home game in Seattle.
A franchise-record 18,100 people packed into the Climate Pledge Arena. Las Vegas AcesBird was honored on the court with a tribute pregame, a video featuring highlights from Seattle’s four championships with Bird, and former teammates and coaches in attendance.
There’s just one thing that didn’t go as planned. Ace won his 89-81. This allowed the Aces to hold off Seattle by him 29 points. Aja Wilson Multiple key buckets from guard to Q4 chelsea gray.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s kind of a shame we lost our last game here,” Byrd told the crowd after the game.
After 20 years, loss could not overcome the feeling, as Bird’s comments show.
“Results aside, it’s been a great afternoon for me,” she told reporters.
When Bird took to the court to work out more than an hour before the game, she felt the energy of the early fans arriving and saw her jerseys and t-shirts lined up in the crowd. I was able to By the time the Storm ran out of her line for a pregame layup, Pass through a tunnel of her friends and familyByrd, including fiancée Megan Rapinoe, said fans were already taking their seats rather than waiting for information.
This moment was everything for Sue Bird 💚💛 @S10 Bird
(via @Seattle Storm)pic.twitter.com/b30OkxpgPa
— espnW (@espnW) August 7, 2022
For Byrd, the pre-game ceremony and the pivotal game that followed – Seattle could have changed the standings in a game against Las Vegas with a win – was reminiscent of Senior Day at the University of Connecticut.
“You have this big ceremony and your parents kicked you out and you’re all emotional. ‘And you’re like, ‘Oh, you gotta play this game.'”
There were still breaks in nostalgia during the action of the game. He said he saw and remembered the moment.
But for the most part, Sunday’s game was simply a matchup between the WNBA’s two best teams, both competing for the playoff seed. Tina Charles, who arrived at the game wearing a Byrd high school jersey from their mutual alma mater (Christ the King in Brooklyn, N.Y.), kept the Storm early in the game. Breanna Stewart both had 14 points and 6 rebounds, but the Aces were still leading by 1.
Neither team was able to pull off a double-digit lead throughout the game, but Seattle was unable to advance in the second half as Las Vegas seemed prepared for every rally. Stewart and Charles, 19, who finished with his season-high 35 points, were the only Storm his players to score in double figures. His four of the five aces starters scored at least his 15 points for the team.
Wilson jokingly apologized when asked by reporters after the game about being a “party crusher” for the Byrd tribute.
“I didn’t mean to crush Sue’s party,” Wilson said. “She invited me to a party and I’m just trying to have fun and lighten up a little bit.
“This was a big night for Sue. [Sylvia Fowles] Both are getting flowers. It’s amazing what Sue has accomplished with this franchise.She is honored to be a teammate of her Olympic team, especially her fifth place finish. [gold medal] with her. This is a big night for her. She’s sure it’s going to be another big night for her and I’m pretty sure it’s all about love.”
In Bird’s case, she didn’t just receive a metaphorical flower in the form of a well-deserved tribute to her career.she A young fan sitting courtside literally handed me flowers before returning it for “storage”.
Memorable moments helped Bird get over the consequences.
“Listen, Vegas is a really good team,” she said. I don’t think they mean it, they just extended it at the end, I wish we could have met them again and won… maybe that’s a sign of good things to come.In 2002 It worked.
Porky Chatman, who served as Seattle’s acting head coach when Noel Quinn was unable to play due to WNBA health and safety protocols, admitted the loss was painful, but decided to keep the team out for the playoffs. I vowed to return to the Climate Pledge Arena.
“I think it’s time for everyone to go home and pack up and go on a trip tomorrow,” Chatman said. [But] Sue doesn’t make you feel that way.
“The good thing about it is that it’s not over yet and we plan to be back here.”
To win a first round bye in the playoffs, the Storm Washington Mystics For top 4 seeds.Washington Home Loss Sunday Los Angeles Sparks They are one game ahead of Seattle on the losing row.
If the Mystics win their last two games, they will both face League Worst. indiana feverwhich means the Storm will need to finish at least 2-1 in the road trip it starts against the WNBA-leading opponent. chicago sky It concludes with next Sunday’s rematch in Las Vegas.
