Live From Press Row - Storm vs. San Antonio
Want to enjoy the electricity of at KeyArena even if you're thousands of miles away? storm.wnba.com's Live From Press Row in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame quotes, analysis and observations from the game. E-mail Kevin at web@stormbasketball. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Storm Defense the Story
Final: Storm 66, San Antonio 53
It's hard to play a much better half of basketball defensively than the Storm just did in the second half. San Antonio was held to four field goals all half long in 28 shot attempts (14.3 percent shooting) and 19 total points as the Storm came from behind to win going away, 66-53. The seven points allowed by the Storm in the third quarter ties the franchise record, done twice before including last May when the Silver Stars visited KeyArena. Becky Hammon was the only San Antonio player to score double-figures, and she was held to 3-of-9 shooting and four turnovers. Give Tanisha Wright credit for a great defensive effort on Hammon, but everybody contributed to the Storm's lockdown defense.
At the other end of the floor, the Storm overcame 1-of-11 shooting by Lauren Jackson, who finished with just three points. Swin Cash led the way, scoring 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. She added 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Jackson also had 12 rebounds as the Storm dominated the glass 41-17, including a 14-11 advantage on the offensive glass. Sue Bird added 17 points, coming up with big shots in the fourth quarter to help put this game away, and Camille Little scored 12. Lastly, we'd be remiss in not giving credit to Shannon Johnson, who helped spark the Storm off the bench with eight points and five rebounds, playing a lot alongside Bird in the second half.
The Storm will have a day of practice before getting back at it Thursday, hosting Sacramento at KeyArena. That will be nationally televised on ESPN2, which means a special 6:00 p.m. start time. It's also Go Green Night presented by Seattle City Light. The first 3,000 fans will receive Go Green night lights courtesy of Seattle City Light. Plus recycle a new or used book by donating it to Goodwill on the West Plaza and earn the chance to win an autographed shooting shirt! 
Get your tickets now and join us at the Key!
Storm in Driver's Seat
Fourth Quarter: Storm 59, San Antonio 48
With just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Storm is in control of this game, leading by 11 points with Erin Perperoglou headed to the free-throw line. The Storm's defense in the second half has been terrific, holding San Antonio to three field goals in 25 attempts, 12.0 percent shooting. Becky Hammon had a brief stretch where she was able to take control by getting to the free throw line, but for the game she's got 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting with four turnovers.
Storm Dominating Glass
Fourth Quarter: Storm 49, San Antonio 44
Here's a remarkable stat that I had missed until a moment ago. The Storm has outrebounded San Antonio 33-15 in this game, just dominating the glass. The Storm has pounded the offensive boards with multiple players, coming up with second and third chances throughout the second half and has as many offensive rebounds (11) as the Silver Stars have defensive boards. That's been a key reason the Storm has overcome shooting 32.1 percent from the field to lead this game. Edwige Lawson-Wade did hit a three to pull San Antonio back within five, and in this game one three feels like a run all by itself.
Kids Day also means our wildest Doppler Train of the season, and kids packed the court during the timeout and are only now getting back to their seats. Speaking of seats, sitting courtside tonight alongside Anne Levinson and Lisa Brummel of Force 10 Hoops L.L.C. is Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, a long-time supporter of the Storm.
Phenomenal Third Quarter for Storm
End Third Quarter: Storm 49, San Antonio 41
The Storm played a terrific third quarter, holding the Silver Stars to just two field goals and seven points over a 10-minute stretch and outscoring San Antonio 16-7 to take the largest lead of the night by either team, eight points, to the fourth quarter. Swin Cash has been terrific for the Storm, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds and leading the charge to the free throw line in the third quarter. Camille Little has 10 points as the other Storm player in double-figures, while we should give Lauren Jackson credit for pulling down 11 rebounds on a tough shooting night. And Shannon Johnson has given the Storm a huge lift off the bench with eight points and four rebounds.
In addition to being Kids Day and Doppler's Birthday, today is also the last day for WNBA All-Star voting. Make sure you cast your vote today to help send Cash, Jackson, Sue Bird, Janell Burse and Tanisha Wright to Connecticut later this month!
Storm D Taking Center Stage
Third Quarter: Storm 38, San Antonio 35
Hey, remember five minutes into the game when I wondered if the defenses would take control of the game? Suffice it to say they have. The Storm is now shooting 31.8 percent from the field, but still leading this game after outscoring San Antonio 5-1 in the five minutes since halftime. The Silver Stars are shooting 36.1 percent, not having made a field goal since the 3:16 mark of the second quarter.
The good news for the Storm is Lauren Jackson is back in this game as a scorer (she never left as far as the other facets of the game). Jackson missed a couple of chippies just after halftime and then missed the first of two free throws, but she made the second after getting a warm hand from the crowd and then got her first field goal on a nice seal and feed from Sue Bird. Thanks to Jennifer Carroll from Storm PR for checking with the Elias Sports Bureau and finding that the last time Jackson was scoreless for a half was May 21, 2005 against Los Angeles, the disastrous opener when the Storm was blown out by the Sparks on national TV.
Storm Within One
Halftime: San Antonio 34, Storm 33
The Storm closed the first half with what stands the potential to be a big momentum three-pointer from Sue Bird. With the shot clock running down, Bird stepped through a double-team to get a better look at an off-balance three-pointer she nailed. With Vickie Johnson missing at the buzzer, the Storm trials by just one at the half, 34-33.
The key to this game the rest of the way may be whether the Storm can get Lauren Jackson going. It looked like she would get on the scoreboard when she was fouled by Ruth Riley on a give-and-go and went to the free throw line. However, Jackson missed both attempts and they looked very flat. That makes me wonder whether her right foot, which she tweaked last Wednesday against Phoenix, might be affecting her lift. Jackson said yesterday she felt fine, but veteran observers know her tendency to downplay any physical issues. That foot still may be a little tight.
LJ Scoreless
Second Quarter: San Antonio 32, Storm 30
One of the developing stories of this game is that Storm All-Star Lauren Jackson is scoreless with three minutes left in the first half. Jackson has missed all five of her shot attempts. She's playing against Ruth Riley, a bigger defender who has done a great job of keeping her hands up to make sure Jackson doesn't have a good look at the basket. Beyond that, the Silver Stars aren't doing anything especially exotic. The are doubling Jackson in the paint, but that's standard operating procedure around the league by this point. The looks just haven't been there for Jackson so far, and she hasn't knocked down the handful of good attempts she have. I think we'll see things change before long, though I don't want to take anything away from what Riley is doing defensively.
Switching it Up
Second Quarter: San Antonio 27, Storm 24
The story of this game has had a lot to do with the Storm's defense switching every pick against San Antonio. That's created mismatches down low. When the Storm has been able to front the post and make that entry pass very difficult - and Tanisha Wright has done an excellent job of this - they've been able to create turnovers, six of them in all for the Silver Stars. When San Antonio has been patient and worked the ball down low, the Silver Stars have been able to get very good looks. That's why they're shooting 61.1 percent from the field when they do get a shot up. We'll see what adjustments, if any, Brian Agler makes the rest of the way.
Similar Teams, Similar Score
End First Quarter: Storm 19, San Antonio 18
As we've discussed in previewing today's game, the Storm and Silver Stars are very similar teams because of the time Brian Agler spent in San Antonio assisting Dan Hughes.
"What I don't want to do is try to give our team too much information," Agler said of preparing for this game. "When you prepare for a team, you can only absorb so much information. It's just as important that they play with anticipation and instinct as it is to be prepared."
Both teams are also of similar quality, having finished one and two in the Western Conference last season. It's therefore no surprise we've got a very close game on our hands, with a 5-0 Silver Stars surge allowing them to get back within one point at the quarter break.
During the break, Doppler beat the other mascots in a game of musical chairs. That's only appropriate on Doppler's birthday, right?
Cash Powers Storm Run
First Quarter: Storm 17, San Antonio 11
The Storm came out of the timeout with a 7-0 run to take a six-point lead and force Dan Hughes to take a timeout. Swin Cash has been the key, scoring a bucket and a three-point play in the stretch. She's got seven points on 3-of-3 shooting so far to go along with three rebounds and looks very active. The Storm is off to an excellent start on offense without much in the way of contributions from Lauren Jackson, who has matched up with San Antonio center Ruth Riley. Jackson has missed both of her shot attempts so far and has two early fouls.
During the first timeout, we got our first chance to see the mascots in attendance today. San Antonio's Fox might not be real popular as the mascot of the opposing team. The other WNBA mascot we have here is Phoenix's Scorch. The Mariner Moose is here today as well before tonight's Mariner game at Safeco Field against Baltimore, and Blaze of the Portland Trail Blazers has made the trek up I-5.
Hot Early Shooting
First Quarter: San Antonio 11, Storm 10
These are two teams who pride themselves on their defense, but the shooting has been ahead of the D in the early going today. Both teams are shooting well over 50 percent from the field and making some tough shots. The Silver Stars have knocked down a pair of three-pointers, both from veteran Shannon Johnson, while the Storm has hit a number of shots from the perimeter in hitting 55.6 percent from the field. We'll see if that continues or if the defenses start to take center stage.
Pregame Notes
Pregame
For the first time all season, the Storm has a player in street clothes due to injury. Rookie forward Ashley Walker is sidelined by a toe injury. Walker suffered the injury in practice. There is no diagnosis as yet, with the media update indicating one is forthcoming after the game.
Kids Day started out with nine-year-old Caspian Coberly performing the National Anthem, and he electrified the crowd with his Jimi Hendrix-style rendition on the electric guitar. Check out Caspian's other work on YouTube. That probably had to warm the heart of Dan Hughes, a music aficionado who has been known to wear his Hendrix tie to games at KeyArena and wrote about the EMP for SASilverStars.com yesterday.
Signing On
Pregame
Good morning from KeyArena, and this is the only time all season we can tell you that. It's the Storm's annual Kids Day and Doppler's Birthday, which means a Noon start at KeyArena. It's filling up with the groups of kids who will supply the noise throughout today's game, all of them equipped with Thunderstix. Simply put, there's noting like Kids Day. We have several mascots from around the WNBA and other Northwest sports teams in attendance to help Doppler celebrate the big day and all sorts of kid-themed entertainment. Stay tuned for a description of all the happenings on and off the court throughout today's game.
Live From Press Row Archive