Seattle Storm

In a season already full of travel of difficulties, the WNBA had another incident on its hands as the Seattle Storm had a big change in their plans on their way to Washington D.C. from New York following their game against the Liberty on Saturday.

Due to hazardous weather throughout the Northeast, the Storm's flight to the nation's capital Sunday was cancelled with the next possible flight for their 24-person travel party not available until Wednesday, the day after their matchup against the Mystics on Tuesday night, according to a report by the Associated Press.

And with limited spots available on outgoing trains, they ended up settling for a potentially five-hour bus ride south.

It's a tough blow for Seattle given that the flight from New York to Washington typically only lasts about an hour.

It's especially difficult considering how busy of a travel week the organization has had over the past few days. The Storm flew into Boston from Seattle on Tuesday night before driving two hours to Connecticut for a matchup against the Sun on Thursday.

They then made a three-hour drive Friday to the Big Apple ahead of Saturday afternoon's game against the Liberty.

And it's been a fruitless east coast road trip thus far, going 0-2 against the Sun and Liberty.

Luckily, the rest of the Storm's travel week should be a bit easier as they'll have a charter flight to Atlanta on Wednesday as part of their only back-to-back game of the year.

In an effort to improve the league's travel conditions this season, the WNBA decided to institute charter flights for the second half of back-to-back games. Teams are still required to fly commercial for all other fixtures, however, which has drawn plenty of criticism from fans and players alike.

It took a particularly hard beating following an incident in which Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was harassed at the Dallas Airport while catching a commercial flight.

Griner took a moment to criticize the low standards the WNBA had set in terms of travel.

"I'll say this. I think we should have already had the option to use a different airline, a more private airline, charter flights," Griner said a couple of weeks following the Dallas incident, per ESPN's M.A. Voepel. "It's a shame that it had to get to rock bottom, because I feel like waiting for something to happen and then making a change … you don't know what that 'something's' going to be. We've all seen what can happen in this world."

Since then, the league approved a plan that would allow Griner to board charter flights for the rest of the Mercury's road games. The courtesy may also be extended to the rest of the roster.

The WNBA has said it would cost about $2 million per team to charter for the entire season.

Star forward Breanna Stewart is undoubtedly the best player on the free-agent market, and she reportedly has narrowed the choices for her next destination to two teams.

According to ESPN's M.A. Voepel, Stewart is deciding between staying with the Seattle Storm or signing with the New York Liberty.

There's a chance Stewart's decision comes soon, as WNBA free agents can officially sign with teams starting Wednesday.

The No. 1 overall pick by the Storm in 2016, Stewart has already enjoyed a stellar career and she is only beginning her prime years. The 28-year-old is a four-time All-Star and helped lead Seattle to two WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020. She was also named WNBA MVP in 2018, and she led the league in scoring this past season with 21.8 points per game.

In addition to the Storm and the Liberty, Stewart reportedly also considered the Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics. However, Voepel noted that the Liberty were always considered "the biggest threat to lure" her away from Seattle. The Syracuse native played collegiately at UConn, where she was a four-time NCAA champion.

Voepel also pointed out there's speculation that Stewart's decision is tied to longtime Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot if they want to play together on the same team. Vandersloot has led the league in assists six times and would be a viable replacement for legendary point guard and Stewart's longtime teammate Sue Bird, who retired after last season.

The Liberty appear to be trending upward following last year's first-round playoff exit. New York made the biggest trade of the offseason by acquiring 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun, adding her to a core that includes 2022 All-Star Sabrina Ionescu. If Stewart were to join the mix, the Liberty would vault into consideration for one of the favorites to take home the 2023 WNBA title.

One of the WNBA's biggest stars offered her services to help remedy one of the league's more persistent off-court issues.

Breanna Stewart said Sunday she "would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA."

I would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA.

I would contribute my NIL, posts + production hrs to ensure we all travel in a way that prioritizes player health + safety, which ultimately results in a better product.

Who’s with me?

— Stewie (@breannastewart) January 22, 2023

Some of Stewart's current and former peers endorsed her plan:

🙋🏿‍♀️

— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) January 22, 2023

🙋🏽‍♀️

— Natalie Achonwa (@NatAchon) January 22, 2023

🙋🏾‍♀️

— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) January 22, 2023

🙋🏽‍♂️

— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) January 22, 2023

🙋🏾‍♀️

— Erica Wheeler (@EWeezy_For3eezy) January 22, 2023

🙋🏻‍♀️

— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) January 22, 2023

The most recent collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and players' union didn't guarantee players chartered travel to and from games. Instead, they were assured of premium economy status, which was an upgrade from the last CBA.

However, that still leaves a lot of players dealing with cramped conditions on the plane, and they ultimately remain at the mercy of the commercial airline industry.

There are numerous examples in the past of teams having to scramble after flights were delayed or canceled entirely.

Scrutiny toward the WNBA intensified last March, when Sports Illustrated's Howard Megdal reported the league fined the New York Liberty $500,000 in part for providing their players with chartered travel.

Days later in an interview with ESPN's M.A. Voepel, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the cost of chartered flights for each team would be more than $20 million. Engelbert added the league was awaiting corporate buy-in:

"We've asked all the major airlines. We've asked charter companies. I've been working on this since the moment I came into the league. But without sponsors stepping up, it's just not in the cards right now. If we could get it sponsored or funded in some way ... I'm all ears. I've gotten lots of calls over the past year about this since we've been back in our 12 markets. Then when people price it out, and they see it's $20 million-plus, you never hear from them again."

Megdal reported the Liberty had proposed an unofficial plan in September 2021 that would open the door for every team to get chartered travel for three years. The idea failed to get the requisite approval from the WNBA Board of Governors.

In a statement to Megdal, the league disputed the report and said the Liberty had agreed to "explore opportunities regarding charter flights and present it to the Board," but that nothing actionable had emerged yet.

Based on Stewart's social media post, the players are more than happy to offer their input and time to find a solution.

The headline name of a loaded WNBA free-agency class is reportedly set to meet with four teams.

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Breanna Stewart has meetings scheduled with the Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. The WNBA's free-agency period opens at midnight ET, and Stewart, who has played her entire career with the Storm, hinted Friday at the four teams she would meet:

⛈️ 🐺 🏛️🗽

— Stewie (@breannastewart) January 20, 2023

Jack Maloney of CBS Sports noted this year's class of WNBA free agents "is being hailed as one of the best in league history" and ranked Stewart atop the list of the best available players.

She has been a staple of the Storm since they selected her out of UConn with the No. 1 pick of the 2016 WNBA draft. Her resume includes two championships, the 2018 MVP and four All-Star selections.

At 28 years old, she is in her prime and posted 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from deep last season.

Stewart just missed out on the second MVP of her career, finishing second in the voting behind Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson.

While Seattle would seem to have an advantage given Stewart's familiarity with the franchise and the team's understanding of her importance to its championship hopes, it's notable that she'll meet with the Liberty.

New York has been aggressive this offseason and landed 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones in a trade with the Connecticut Sun.

Jones and Sabrina Ionescu are quite the one-two punch, and adding Stewart or another free agent such as Courtney Vandersloot would put the Liberty on the short list of championship contenders.

Perhaps the opportunity to chase a title in the Big Apple will appeal to Stewart, who is from the Syracuse area of New York, but four teams will apparently have the opportunity to make their pitches once free agency begins.

The Seattle Storm announced Thursday that they will retire Sue Bird's No. 10 jersey on June 11 before a matchup against the Washington Mystics at Climate Pledge Arena.

Etched in 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 ⛈️🐐

The Storm will retire Sue Bird’s No. 10 jersey June 11!
#10forever pic.twitter.com/WmGpHkbZLI

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) January 19, 2023

Bird retired following the 2022 season.

"I've decided this will be my final year," Bird said after announcing her plans in June, via ESPN's Alexa Philippou. "I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first."

The Storm said in the release that other activities to honor Bird will be announced closer to June 11.

Bird, widely considered the best point guard in WNBA history, spent her entire 21-year career with the Storm, playing 19 seasons, after being selected first overall by the franchise in the 2002 WNBA draft. She finished her career as the league's all-time leader in games, minutes and assists.

The 42-year-old appeared in 580 regular-season games and averaged 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from deep.

One of Bird's best seasons came in 2011 when she averaged a career-high 14.7 points in 34 games, in addition to 2.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 42.8 percent from deep.

The UConn product, who also won two NCAA titles with the Huskies, claimed a record 13 All-Star Game selections, earned All-WNBA honors eight times and helped the Storm win four WNBA titles in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020.

Bird joins Lauren Jackson as the only other player to have her jersey retired by the Storm. Seattle retired Jackson's No. 15 in 2016.

Seattle Storm fans showed their appreciation for WNBA legend Sue Bird following the final game of her illustrious career Tuesday night.

After Seattle fell 97-92 to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 of the playoff semifinals and was officially eliminated, the home crowd chanted "thank you Sue," as an emotional Bird took it in:

Thank you, @S10Bird 🙏 https://t.co/2eGRv2RqMY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 7, 2022

Per ESPN's Kevin Pelton, Bird admitted after the game that she was emotional and felt "weird" about walking off the court for the final time as an active player, but she was also able to reflect on the great run she had in Seattle:

"I didn't really want to leave the court. It felt like that's where everybody was going, so I just followed at first. But I also wanted to kind of have one last moment to say thank you, to soak it all in, because in some ways it is a happy thing.

"I'm proud of everything we've accomplished here. Of course I'm sad, but there's happiness too, to be able to have a moment like that with the fans, to have them chant the way they did. I know the tears don't look like happy tears, but there's a lot of happiness."

In her final WNBA game, Bird finished with eight points and eight assists, plus Breanna Stewart dropped a game-high 42 points for the Storm, but it wasn't enough to overcome the duo of Chelsea Gray and A'ja Wilson, who combined for 54 points for the Aces.

Bird, 41, spent 19 seasons in the WNBA after getting selected first overall in the 2002 WNBA draft out of UConn. Remarkably, the 13-time All-Star never played for a WNBA team other than the Storm.

With four championships to her name, she is one of the most decorated players in WNBA history. Additionally, she was named to the league's 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversary teams.

In 580 career regular-season games, Bird posted averages of 11.7 points, 5.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers made and 1.3 steals. Bird also ranks first in WNBA history in games played and assists, plus she is second in three-point field goals, third in steals and seventh in points.

On top of that, Bird came through for her country on multiple occasions, winning five Olympic gold medals for Team USA.

With Bird and the Storm out of the playoffs, the Aces await the winner of the other semifinal matchup between the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun.

And then there were four.

The defending champions, the No. 1 overall seed, a retiring legend and a challenger looking for its first title in franchise history advanced to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

The top-seeded Las Vegas Aces had little trouble with the Phoenix Mercury and will now face the Seattle Storm after Sue Bird and Co. eliminated the Washington Mystics. On the other side of the bracket is the defending-champion Chicago Sky, which needed to win two straight contests, including a decisive Game 3 on the road, against the New York Liberty to advance.

Chicago will face the Connecticut Sun after they defeated the Dallas Wings in Wednesday's win-or-go home Game 3 to end the first round.

Unlike the pressure-packed opening round with little room for error in a best-of-three format, the semifinals are best-of-five series with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.

Here is a look at the full schedule for the two matchups that will determine the participants in the 2022 WNBA Finals.

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WNBA Playoff Semifinals Schedule

Sunday, Aug. 28

• Game 1: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN and Watch ESPN
• Game 1: Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN

Wednesday, Aug. 31

• Game 2: Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN
• Game 2: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN
  

Sunday, Sept. 4

• Game 3: Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN
• Game 3: Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and Watch ESPN

Tuesday, Sept. 6

• Game 4 (if necessary): Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm at TBD on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN
• Game 4 (if necessary): Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun at TBD on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN

Thursday, Sept. 8

• Game 5 (if necessary): Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces at TBD on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN
• Game 5 (if necessary): Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky at TBD on ESPN 2 and Watch ESPN

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Championship Pick: Chicago Sky

The Sky are going to become the first WNBA team to win back-to-back championships since the Los Angeles Sparks did so in 2001 and 2002.

Those repeat dreams appeared to be in serious jeopardy when they blew a late lead and lost Game 1 in their first-round series against New York. It would have been easy for Chicago to rest on its laurels from last season and fold, but the group of playoff-tested veterans instead responded in resounding fashion and won Games 2 and 3 by a combined 56 points.

Chicago showed why it is so dangerous during those two wins with the ability to take control on both ends of the floor with depth that is difficult to match.

Candace Parker is the headliner and for good reason. She is a matchup nightmare with the ability to play point forward and distribute or lead the break all while being a formidable post presence if needed.

Yet the Sky are far from a one-person show. Courtney Vandersloot is the floor general who can hit from the outside, get to the lane and set up teammates, while Kahleah Copper is essentially unstoppable getting to the rim and on the break.

Clogging the lane? Kah don't care!#sktown pic.twitter.com/BDpNwL1Cl5

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 24, 2022

The Queen of the Fourth with an ABSOLUTE DIME to KFC 🔥#skytown pic.twitter.com/ZfBlwzgtQW

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 24, 2022

Their overall depth was on full display during the Game 3 win over New York with six players in double figures. Allie Quigley is the sharp-shooter to space the floor, Azura Stevens is the interior scorer who provides a spark off the bench, and Emma Meesseman complements Parker in the frontcourt with the ability to score both inside and out while helping on the boards.

The result is the perfect blend of star power and role players who are accustomed to thriving in these pressure-packed moments from last season's championship run.

That's not even mentioning the defensive intensity, which was the driving force behind the turnaround against the Liberty. Chicago forced 19 turnovers and held New York to 62 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field in Game 2 and then forced 14 turnovers while holding the Liberty to 72 points in Game 3.

In a testament to that depth, Rebekah Gardner came off the bench and hounded Sabrina Ionescu the full length of the court, preventing the Liberty from getting into their offensive sets until late in the shot clock.

Rebekah Gardner is giving a defensive masterclass out here, my goodness.

— CHGO Sky (@CHGO_Sky) August 24, 2022

Helping Chicago's title chances is the potential for a grueling semifinal series on the other side of the bracket with A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum leading the way for the Aces and Breanna Stewart and Bird doing the same for the Storm.

If the Sky can maintain the level of play they demonstrated with their backs against the wall in the first round, they could handle the Sun before the other series ends. That would make them the fresher team for what promises to be a thrilling WNBA Finals.

Sue Bird's swan song will continue in the semifinals.

The Seattle Storm point guard showed out yet again Sunday, notching a double-double (18 points, 10 assists) in her team's 97-84 win over the Washington Mystics.

The @seattlestorm are feeling it from the three-point line!

Five triples in the first quarter, three of them coming from @S10Bird 🎯 pic.twitter.com/cOiADR4sWF

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 21, 2022

With the victory, the Storm swept the Mystics, 2-0, and will face the Las Vegas Aces in the next round.

Unsurprisingly, Bird was the talk on Twitter after another stellar showing:

41 year old sue bird controlling the first quarter of a wnba playoff game lmao

convinced she could do this forever

— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) August 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/NBACouchside/status/1561464183694180352

https://twitter.com/holls20824/status/1561468664112488448

Sue Bird just making so many Mystics look silly right now. Vet is carving up these kids.

— Tyler Byrum (@theTylerByrum) August 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/saucyrenz/status/1561468144174084096

Sue Bird. 41 years old and still a bucket.

— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) August 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/DJ4Mars/status/1561464211133255680

What I will always luv about @S10Bird & @DianaTaurasi is not only are they ELITE hoopers, they’ve stuck with one franchise. There’s just something extra special about building up & elevating those around you, while dominating too‼️ #WNBATwitter #WNBAPlayoff

— Cindy Brunson (@CindyBrunsonAZ) August 21, 2022

Playoff Sue Bird is so fun lol

— Gaming Society (@GamingSociety) August 21, 2022

Sue Bird gotta get this last ring 💍

— Montana 🤍 (@_Breezymontana) August 21, 2022

Bird came out firing in the first quarter, putting up nine points.

Her scoring slowed down from there, but her ability to pick apart the Mystics defense with her playmaking and pinpoint passing continued to keep Seattle's offense flowing:

SUE BIRD IS SHOWING OUT 😱

Wait for the no-look 👀 pic.twitter.com/TJYd1j3prB

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022

Sue Bird with ANOTHER no-look 😮 pic.twitter.com/qdj7M6sOR7

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022

It helped that her teammates consistently made those open looks, led by Breanna Stewart (21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) and Jewell Loyd (19 points). That spoiled a solid performance from Washington's Natasha Cloud (21 points, 5-of-8 from three), while Elena Delle Donne had a tough afternoon from the field (5-of-14 for 12 points).

But Sunday was all about Bird. She isn't ready to ride off into that sunset just yet.

Game 1 of the semifinals between the Storm and Aces will take place August 28 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The Associated Press named Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart its WNBA Player of the Year for the 2022 season.

🤩 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 🤩@breannastewart is your AP Player of the Year and AP All WNBA First Team!#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/QXbk4Wwsb0

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 16, 2022

"It’s an honor to be recognized as the best in the league," Stewart said, per the AP's Doug Feinberg. "Since I started in the WNBA in 2016, just trying to get better. Elevate myself and the team, the league as a whole. A big honor, but we’re motivated by more and that’s trying to win a championship."

The 6'4" forward was the AP's Player of the Year in 2018 as well, and her win could foreshadow the outcome of a tight WNBA MVP race between her and the Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson.

Stewart led the league in scoring (21.8 ppg) and averaged 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She also shot 47.2 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Although the Storm only finished fourth in the WNBA at 22-14, simply qualifying for the playoffs might've been a challenge were it not for Stewie's contributions. Her offensive output accounted for more than a fourth (26.4 percent) of Seattle's scoring.

Wilson, who was recognized as the AP Defensive Player of the Year, was the best player on the league's best team.

You have to go back to Nneka Ogwumike in 2016 to find the last WNBA MVP who didn't play on the team with the best record. The Los Angeles Sparks were merely the second-best team that year.

Wilson put together the best season of her career by expanding her offensive repertoire. Prior to 2022, the Aces center went 1-of-2 on three-pointers. This season she made 31 threes and hit 37.3 percent of her attempts.

Every year, basketball fans watch a post player hit a few long-range jumpers in an open gym and get irrationally excited about that player suddenly becoming a stretch big. With Wilson, it actually happened.

Loading… pic.twitter.com/a7FK5iVHcV

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 24, 2022

That coincided with a wider shift for Las Vegas. The team jumped from 11th in made three-pointers (5.1 per game) in 2021 to second (9.5) in 2022.

First-year head coach Becky Hammon wasted no time leaving her imprint on the offense, and that helped Wilson reach a level she hadn't before.

Fans will find out on Sept. 7 whether that was enough for her to outshine Stewart when the WNBA names its MVP.

The eyes of the women's basketball world were fixated on Climate Pledge Arena as Sue Bird played her final regular-season home game for the Seattle Storm.

The Storm came out on the losing end against the Las Vegas Aces, falling 89-81 on Sunday. Bird finished with nine points, six assists, four rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes on the floor.

But that did little to dull the atmosphere. From start to finish, the Seattle fans made sure to give the 41-year-old a send-off befitting her legendary status:

Sue Bird soaking in the moment ahead of her final regular season home game in Seattle 💐🐐

(via @WNBA)pic.twitter.com/Fcm4jPoHKe

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 7, 2022

“Thank you Sue” chant from fans after Sue Bird’s final regular season game here in Seattle❤️ #TakeCover #WNBATwitter | @TheNextHoops pic.twitter.com/m6YqyoF7CN

— Rowan Schaberg (@rowanschaberg) August 7, 2022

🥹 pic.twitter.com/UB4BAgFOlx

— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) August 7, 2022

This young fan gave Sue Bird a flower during her last regular season game in Seattle ❤️ https://t.co/H1OZGlkJWB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 7, 2022

Sue Bird felt the love after her last regular season game in Seattle 👏 pic.twitter.com/OO69ZfDJZ4

— ESPN (@espn) August 7, 2022

The outpouring of support was evident across social media as well:

If you know her than you know when that biggie dropped NY was coming out 😂. Let’s get it @S10Bird pic.twitter.com/ITfPAn9UiX

— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) August 7, 2022

@S10Bird legacy is etched on Mount Rushmore of all of basketball.

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 7, 2022

WE THANK YOU SUE! Dreams were realized because of you….and they will continue to do so yes because of you! Love you @S10Bird

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 7, 2022

Goat status 🐐

All love and respect for @S10Bird in her final regular season game. #TheFinalFlight https://t.co/T7YV9ZquBm

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 7, 2022

Shoutout to the GOAT! 🐐🫡

Thank you for everything you’ve done for Seattle both on and off the court, @S10Bird! pic.twitter.com/e5JDf2LJlx

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) August 7, 2022

Congratulations to @S10Bird on a legendary career with the @seattlestorm! Her final #WNBA regular season home game is today - join us in saluting the #GOAT on her final flight 🐐🍾🙌#BoldTogether x #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/ObpW7Cu82Q

— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) August 7, 2022

One of the greatest to ever do it.

Congratulations, @S10Bird https://t.co/Gzzov9qrvC

— NBA (@NBA) August 7, 2022

Seattle was rockin' today for Sue Bird last home game! I may have to make a trip up there before summer's out and get a run in! 🤔

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 7, 2022

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced before the game that Aug. 7, 2022, would be Sue Bird Day.

⛈️ @MayorofSeattle has officially declared today Sue Bird Day in the city of Seattle!

We're so proud that you've called this city home for 21 years, @S10Bird! #TheFinalFlight pic.twitter.com/QIBkTkEnn7

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 7, 2022

At least so far, Bird's final season probably doesn't have the storybook ending she will have hoped for. The Storm now sit fourth in the WNBA at 20-13, and Sunday's loss was another illustration of how difficult the road to a fourth title will be.

But Bird has already cemented her legacy as the greatest point guard in WNBA history.