Sunday is the last night on the WNBA schedule before the league takes its month-long Olympics hiatus. While the break is coming at a good time for the Seattle Storm, the Sacramento Monarchs probably wish they didn't have to take it.

The Monarchs go for their franchise-record eighth straight win Sunday night when they visit the Storm, who hope a return to Seattle can help them rebound from a frustrating road trip.

Sacramento (15-11) has outscored opponents by an average of 9.0 points while matching the club record with seven straight wins. That streak has helped the Monarchs rebound from an 8-11 start and pull within 2 1-2 games of the Western Conference leading Los Angeles Sparks and two games of the second-place Storm (16-9).

"We have always have been a team that starts kind of slow, but picks up steam midway," Monarchs guard and U.S. national team member Kara Lawson said. "Other teams, because they play less players, get into their rhythm earlier in the season. But other teams are tired this time of year, while we're still fresh. You can see that."

One benefit of the break, however, is that Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson can rest her ailing right knee. Brunson delivered her second consecutive double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 70-62 win over Indiana on Saturday night, but says a break from WNBA action could be advantageous for Sacramento's stretch run.

"(The knee) would have hurt a little bit more if we would have lost," Brunson said. "It could be helpful to our team to continue to play, but it will definitely be helpful for me to get some rest."

Like Brunson, the Storm will likely welcome the time off. They're returning home after breaking even on a four-game road trip they played without reigning league MVP Lauren Jackson, who's training with the Australian national team. Without its leading scorer and rebounder, Seattle trailed by as many as 20 in a 94-80 loss to Phoenix on Friday.

Though Jackson's absence has clearly been a factor, Storm coach Brian Agler isn't making any excuses for his club's performance.

"We don't really talk about not having Lauren," he said. "We're focused on who we do have and what we're capable of doing."

Agler's club has proved itself capable of winning at KeyArena, where the Storm have the league's best home record at 12-1. They've won six straight home games by an average of 15.0 points.

Seattle has also won each of its first two meetings with Sacramento by double figures. The clubs close their season series in Sacramento on Sept. 9.