Aces top Storm to spoil Sue Bird’s final regular season game

A’ja Wilson had 29 points and Kelsey Plum added 16, including a crucial 3-pointer in overtime. The Las Vegas Aces won the game, defeating Sue Bird 89-81.

Storm fans gathered at Climate Pledge Arena in the largest ever crowd to say thank you to Bird, who has been the face of the franchise for two decades and is one of the most respected women’s basketball players of all time.

The Aces were not willing to play their part in making Bird’s final a success. Wilson won the first three quarters. Jackie Young scored 15, Chelsea Gray scored 15, and the Aces did not trail for the final 28 minute.

Breanna Stewart had a season record 35 points, while Tina Charles scored 19. Bird finished with nine points, six assists and four rebounds, but the result was much like the first game she played in Seattle 20 years ago — a defeat.

Bird, a four-time WNBA champ, said farewell to a crowd of cheers following a successful two decades with Storm.

18.100 people gathered at Climate Pledge Arena to chant “Thank You, Sue” as Sue, the former first overall draft selection, gave a curtain call.

“I did not prepare anything for this moment. I don’t know what there is. [any] “We’re preparing for that,” the five-time Olympic gold medallist said to fans.

“Right now I just want you to know how grateful I am.”

Bird was not quite happy with the outcome. The Storm lost 89-81 to the Las Vegas Aces, who were determined to become the number one seed in the playoffs.

Bird was a solid defensive player, scoring nine points, six assists, and four rebounds.

“All those nights you kept telling me to shoot more, I’m sorry. Bird joked with the fans that he was certain tonight was one of those nights.

With the Storm already clinching a playoff spot, Bird’s return to Seattle is possible. However, the Storm and Storm fans treated the game like a farewell to Bird, whose name has become synonymous with the franchise, having amassed a record 13 WNBA All Star selections.

Parker helps Sky edge Sun

Candace Parker scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. She also tipped a pass at Emma Meesseman for a final-second 3-pointer to help the Chicago Sky defeat the Connecticut Sun 94 to 91 Sunday. This set the franchise record for consecutive wins.

Chicago (25-8), Courtney Vandersloot recorded 20 points, five assists, four steals and had 20 overall. Meesseman and Allie Quigley each added 15 points, while Kahleah copper scored 11.

Connecticut’s Jonquel Jones scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds (22-11), but Curt Miller was away with his family as he grieved his mother Bev earlier this week.

Connecticut was without Curt, its head coach. Curt was in Connecticut to spend time with his family following the death of his mother Bev earlier this week.

Sparks keep the playoff hopes alive

Brittney Sykes scored 21 points, including a driving layup in the closing seconds, and the Los Angeles Sparks kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 79-76 win over host Washignton Mystics.

Los Angeles (13-20), who ended a six-game losing streak is one of five teams that are within two games of each another and are vying to be among the two final postseason berths. The Sparks are one and a half games behind seventh-place Atlanta (118-18) and one game behind Phoenix (119-19) for the final playoff spot with one week left in regular season.

Washington faces Seattle for the fourth spot. The Mystics lead by half-game, with two games remaining.

Nneka Obwumike scored 15 points and Katie Lou Samuelson added 12 assists for the Sparks. Jordin Canada had 11 points and a career high tying 12 assists, while Lexie Brown scored 10.