Silver Stars-Storm Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Aug 22 2011 1:33PM

The Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson showed little rust in her first game back since missing almost two months with a hip injury.

Having to face the three-time WNBA MVP surely won't make things any easier on the struggling San Antonio Silver Stars.

The Storm try for an eighth consecutive home victory over the Silver Stars, who hope to a avoid a season-worst fourth straight defeat overall when the teams meet Tuesday night.

It was uncertain if Jackson would take the court again this season after she tore the labrum in her left hip June 21. The All-Star center, however, returned Saturday following a 20-game absence, helping Seattle to a 63-62 win over New York.

Jackson had a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds in just 22 minutes before fouling out, making 6 of 10 shots - including 3 for 5 from 3-point range.

"I don't think I looked forward to playing basketball as much as I did before this game for probably 10 years," she said. "It just felt awesome to be back out there. I'm just happy my hip held up and we won."

The defending champion Storm (14-12) entered Saturday losers of four of five, but they could be back in the running for a second consecutive title thanks to Jackson's quick return.

"She got a lot out of her minutes, didn't she?" coach Brian Agler said. "She played well. We're a different team, obviously. You've got to give everybody credit for keeping us competitive without her. But we can be much better with her."

Jackson hasn't faced the Silver Stars (13-12) this season, but averaged 24.5 points and 10.0 boards as Seattle took all four meetings in 2010. The teams have split two matchups this year, but the Storm have won the last seven home games in the series by an average of 14.9 points.

"They are very good at home and nobody is going to dispute that," Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon said following a 78-64 loss at KeyArena on Aug. 2.

San Antonio suffered its third straight defeat and seventh in nine games Saturday, falling 87-81 at Phoenix despite Hammon's 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

The Sliver Stars, who won four straight and seven of eight to open the season, suddenly find themselves on the verge of dropping to .500 for the first time this year.

San Antonio sits one-half game behind third-place Seattle in the Western Conference and 2 1/2 in front of Los Angeles for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Jackson helps Storm defeat Silver Stars 63-55

Posted Aug 24 2011 1:08AM

SEATTLE (AP) Lauren Jackson and Tanisha Wright ignited the Storm in the fourth quarter after Seattle's offense struggled most of the game.

Wright scored six of her 16 points and Jackson had six of her 13 in the fourth quarter to help the Storm beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 63-55 on Tuesday night.

``I thought we started playing with a purpose at the end,'' Seattle coach Brian Agler said. ``I don't think we played with a purpose other than early in the game. Lauren made a couple of Lauren Jackson plays with turnaround jump shots and drop steps. And we got to the free-throw line a little bit.''

Jackson, who hit 3 of 4 shots from the field in the final quarter, played in just her second game after missing 20 because of a hip injury.

Wright made a layup and four free throws in the fourth to help the Storm pull away. She finished 8 of 8 on free throws.

``We needed a fourth quarter that could separate us,'' Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said. ``But they went to Jackson and (Sue) Bird a little bit and Wright hurt us, all in the fourth quarter, which gave them the separation.''

Bird and Camille Little added 12 points each for Seattle (15-12), which moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Silver Stars for third place in the Western Conference. Seattle is just 1/2 game behind second-place Phoenix.

Sophia Young scored 14 and Jia Perkins 11 to lead San Antonio (13-13), which dropped its fourth straight and is just 1 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles for the fourth and final playoff berth in the West.

Becky Hammon scored only four points for the Silver Stars, 12.8 below her average. She was 2 of 10 from the field, including 0 of 4 from 3-point range.

``Our team defense is amazing against her,'' Wright said. ``We really focus in on her and make her give the ball up and let other people make plays. We get tons of help from our post players. They do a good job of forcing her to make the next pass and then recovering.''

Bird became the 16th WNBA player to reach 4,000 points.

``I joked that it just means that I've been playing for a long time,'' said Bird, in her 10th year. ``I think looking back on my career it will be something that will be special. You're in an elite group when you think about people who have done that.''

Seattle used a 10-4 run at the start of the fourth quarter to open a 51-46 lead with 4:56 left. Perkins responded with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two before Jackson hit an inside basket and Wright made two free throws to put the Storm up by six.

Ruth Riley and Perkins each scored four to help San Antonio to a 42-41 lead after three quarters.

Hammon, who had missed her first five shots, hit a 7-footer with 4 seconds left to put the Silver Stars up 28-26 at halftime, their first lead of the game. Young scored 10 in the first half to help San Antonio rally from a 10-0 deficit.

The Silver Stars shot 3 of 16 (18.8 percent) from the field in the first quarter but hit 8 of 19 in the second to outscore the Storm 19-10.

``I thought our team came in here ready to play,'' Young said. ``It took us awhile to score, but once we did, we got into a rhythm. There were some tough baskets down the stretch that they were able to hit and we weren't able to convert ours.''

Wright scored six in the opening quarter to help give the Storm a 16-7 lead. Bird had four in the first quarter to reach 4,000 career points.

The Silver Stars have lost eight straight in Seattle since its last win in 2007.

• Silver Stars: --
• Storm: --

• Silver Stars: --
• Storm: --

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: Key Arena, Seattle, WA
• Officials: #9 Denise Brooks, #44 Felicia Grinter, #45 Tom Mauer
• Attendance: 6559
• Duration: 1:42