Live From Press Row - Storm vs. Phoenix
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Great Effort in a Loss
Final (OT): Phoenix 92, Storm 84
Aside from the record-keeping business - the possibility of winning 20 games on a season - the outcome wasn't really important tonight. But the fact that the players and coaches wanted to win was evident from the effort over a full 45 minutes tonight a the short-handed Storm took the WNBA's top team to overtime before ultimately falling to the Phoenix Mercury in the regular-season home finale. This is Fan Appreciation Night, so at game's end players addressed the crowd, tossed shirts to fans and even some signed shoes.
The Storm was led by 24 points from Tanisha Wright, who fell one point shy of her career high. Shannon Johnson's 15 points were a season high and rookie Ashley Walker recorded career highs in both points and rebounds with six apiece. Yeoman's work tonight from La'Tangela Atkinson and A'Quonesia Franklin, who helped the Storm after signing yesterday and today, respectively. Also, Janell Burse and Camille Little were each a rebound away from a double-double.
On Saturday, the Storm will finish out the regular season in San Antonio. The team will then go directly to the site of Game 1 of the playoffs, which has not yet been determined. Los Angeles is the most likely opponent for the Storm, but Minnesota and San Antonio remain alive for the third seed. Whatever team it is, they'll visit KeyArena a week from Friday, Sept. 18. 
Get your tickets now - you won't want to miss Storm Playoff basketball!
Storm Running Out of Gas
OT: Phoenix 89, Storm 82
At some point, you had to figure the Mercury's superior depth and the Storm's injury-depleted roster would catch up to the hosts. It appears to have come in overtime, where Phoenix has outscored the Storm 12-5. The team did have some momentum going before a turnover in the paint turned into free throws at the other end on a call the Storm fans did not like whatsoever. Still, the Mercury has had superior energy throughout the OT, as you'd imagine given the circumstances.
Again, Overtime
End Regulation: Phoenix 77, Storm 77
Would you believe the Seattle Storm is headed into overtime again? Of course you would. The Storm has loved the extra session this year. This is the sixth OT game of the season for the Storm, and the fifth in 17 home games. Camille Little drove the baseline on the Storm's final possession, but missed under heavy defensive duress. The Storm was unable to collect the board and the clock ran out before Phoenix could take a timeout or even try a shot. So we'll go another five minutes to see if this makeshift crew can pull out a win.
Matching Buckets
Fourth Quarter: Phoenix 77, Storm 77
The two teams traded scores. After Tanisha Wright used a step-through move to score off the bank, the Mercury did not take timeout and Cappie Pondexter answered by getting in the lane and using the glass as well from about five feet. 6.9 seconds left for the Storm after a 20-second timeout.
We're Tied
Fourth Quarter: Phoenix 75, Storm 75
With 32.2 seconds left on the clock, the Storm and the Phoenix Mercury are tied at 75. The Storm took possession of the basketball after Cappie Pondexter traveled by catching her own airball. The Storm got two big scores - one from Suzy Batkovic-Brown on the drive followed by two Camille Little free throws.
The Storm still has two timeouts, both 20s, left. Phoenix has a 20 and a full.
Still a Chance to Steal
Fourth Quarter: Phoenix 75, Storm 71
With 2:28 left on the clock, the Storm is very much alive. The Storm's offense has been stagnant lately, contributing just two points in the last four minutes, but the Storm has gotten enough stops - three in a row - to stay within four points. The Storm has crushed Phoenix on the glass, winning the rebound battle 41-30, and has actually outshot the potent Mercury from the field. It's been a great effort from a short-handed team, and wouldn't it be nice to cap it off with a W?
All Square at the Key
Fourth Quarter: Phoenix 69, Storm 69
Great stuff from the Seattle Storm in this fourth quarter from the Storm, which briefly took the lead for the first time since the early part of the first quarter. Right now, the game is tied at 69 apiece with Diana Taurasi headed to the free throw line. Taurasi took a hard foul from Tanisha Wright, and Corey Gaines wanted a flagrant foul. Gaines, who was ejected from a Storm-Mercury game earlier this season, stared down the refereeing crew during the timeout and continued to argue with them all the way up to the free throws.
The energy right now all favors the Storm, and the home crowd will help maintain that over the last six minutes. It's a good crowd for Fan Appreciation Night.
Storm Working Hard
End Third Quarter: Phoenix 63, Storm 60
The Storm received another quarter-ending ovation as they headed to the bench after three quarters. The Storm earned it with back-to-back buckets in the final five seconds. First, Shannon Johnson scored a runner. Then, La'Tangela Atkinson - who has been tremendously active off the bench - stole the inbounds pass and fed Janell Burse for a layup just before the buzzer to cut the lead to three. The Storm's makeshift bench has contributed 12 points and 18 rebounds.
During the timeout, the finalists for the 2009 Stormy Award were played on ArenaVision. Those are this year's Movie Magic videos, as played at KeyArena during games all season long. Voting for the Stormy Award takes place right here on stormbasketball.com. Click over there to watch all the videos and vote!
Taurasi Time
Third Quarter: Phoenix 56, Storm 46
Predictably, the Mercury has come out of the locker room fired up to make a run. It's equally unsurprising that Diana Taurasi was right in the middle of it. Taurasi had seven straight points, including consecutive three-pointers, and Phoenix is now on an 8-0 run to take its first double-digit lead of the night. Brian Agler takes a timeout to try to slow things down. A bright spot for the Storm on offense: Shannon Johnson has scored a season-high 11 points.
During the timeout, Storm on-court host Shellie Hart helps brings us up to date on the Carter Subaru 3's for Trees Program. With three triples tonight, the Storm now has planted 165 trees in the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway this season.
At the Half, a Ballgame
Halftime: Phoenix 44, Storm 42
Give the Storm credit for some strong defense with a makeshift lineup. The Storm held a dangerous Phoenix team to 44 points on 43.2 percent shooting. The Mercury also was just 4-of-15 from three-point range. The concern for the second half is that Diana Taurasi (four points on 1-of-4 shooting) will get going at some point, but for now the Storm defense has been strong except for a couple of breakdowns in transition defense and a tendency to foul on made shots.
At the other end, the Storm has balanced its scoring. Eight of the nine players who have taken the floor have scored, with four of them scoring at least six. Shannon Johnson's eight points and four rebounds have been key, while Ashley Walker has put together her best effort of the season off the bench. That's really nice to see given how her rookie season has been marred by a toe injury that cost her half the year.
Talking Playoffs
Second Quarter: Phoenix 37, Storm 35
With two games left in the regular season - and the Storm's seeding decided - it's not too early to start thinking about the playoffs. The Storm found out today that it will play next Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (if necessary). The WNBA's playoff format sends the Storm out on the road first for Game 1, with the location for that game - and the opponent, for that matter - still yet to be determined. Game 2 will be played right here at KeyArena on Friday at 7:00 p.m., with Game 3 also here Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. if needed.
Tickets for Friday night's Game 2 are on sale now, so make sure you get yours!
Storm Piling Up Points
Second Quarter: Storm 35, Phoenix 33
The Storm offense has been going during this second quarter. Since the 9:02 mark, a stretch of less than four minutes, Seattle has put 15 points on the board to take the lead. The bench has giving a nice lift. Rookie Ashley Walker is getting an extended chance to play and has scored six points, blowing by her previous best effort in her rookie season, which was two. Walker is 2-of-3 from the field and has gotten to the free throw line a couple of times. La'Tangela Atkinson has also given a lift with her energy and four rebounds in five minutes.
During the timeout, the return of a KeyArena favorite for the first time all year: mascot bowling with Doppler as the human, er, fuzzy bowling ball. I think that's a spare!
Storm Hanging in There
End First Quarter: Phoenix 22, Storm 20
Solid first quarter for the Storm. Behind 10 points from Tanisha Wright, the Storm trails by just two after one quarter. The key has been what has carried the Storm over the last few games - defense. The potent Mercury is shooting just 44.4 percent from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. If the Storm continues to defend like that - and doing so will certainly be challenging - this should stay a very competitive game. One concern from the Storm's first quarter is turnovers - five of them in all. Nonetheless, you have to like the effort - and fans did give the Storm a warm ovation during the quarter break.
A'Quonesia Franklin and La'Tangela Atkinson are in for the Storm. Atkinson got her first points of the season on a layup shortly after checking in.
Wright Leads Storm Early
First Quarter: Phoenix 14, Storm 12
If the Storm is going to win tonight, a big effort from Tanisha Wright is all but imperative. Wright has started well, taking the ball to the hoop for a pair of trips to the free throw line and also hitting a pullup jumper to lead all scorers with six points. The Storm has led much of the way, trailing 14-12 right now with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter. Still, Brian Agler wants to remind his team about transition defense during this timeout. After the last two Storm scores, Phoenix has been able to leak out for layups. That's what makes teams like the Mercury so devastating. You score and you're feeling good, but before you can even get back Phoenix has matched your bucket. The great running teams run on makes as well as misses. The Storm is probably the league's best team at transition defense, but this group hasn't worked together much and needs some reminders.
During the timeout, the Storm played a video on ArenaVision celebrating Sue Bird's contract extension. She received a standing ovation from thrilled Storm fans as she gave a shy smile and wave.
Storm Extends Bird's Contract
Pregame
Odds are you've already heard tonight's big news from KeyArena: The Storm and All-Star point guard Sue Bird have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract that will keep Bird, who could have become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, in Seattle for her ninth season with the Storm and beyond.
"I like it. It's pretty much that simple," said Bird. "I've been here eight seasons now. I live here. All my closest friends are on the team. I have friends outside of basketball. When I say it's home, I truly, truly mean it. Really, not a lot of thought went into this. For a second, I had people in my ear talking about free agency. That went in one ear and out the other and that was the end."
Bird and Brian Agler, the Storm's head coach and director of player personnel, started talking extension in the spring. She was eligible for an extension on the one-year anniversary of signing a two-year deal with the Storm in the spring of 2008.
"There was never any pressure to get it done except from the standpoint that to extend her we needed to get it done before the season was over," explained Agler. "She took her time, which was fine. She dialogued with the people she needed to dialogue with. I don't think she ever wavered in her communication with me about what she felt like she was going to do. It's just great to have her be a part of this. It's great for the future of the Storm."
"I knew where I wanted to be," added Bird. "A few conversations with my agent and that was about it. It just went this long because when you're in the season you get focused on things."
Ultimately, the decision to commit to the Storm for an extended period reflected Bird's fondness for the city, the organization and the team.
"Even though I'm from the East Coast, this is definitely my home both off the court and on," she said. "I really couldn't see myself in any other uniform; nor would I want to be. Like I said, it's pretty much a no-brainer and I'm excited that we can continue the tradition that is Storm basketball."
Signing On
Pregame
Hello from KeyArena, where we wrap up the regular-season home schedule and celebrate Fan Appreciation Night tonight. The Storm plays host to the Phoenix Mercury in a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference. However, the Storm does not come into this game at full strength. Three starters - Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson - and reserve Katie Gearlds will sit tonight's game out due to injuries. It's a great opportunity for some of the Storm's extended reserves to play extended minutes. While there is nothing on the line in terms of playoff positioning for the Storm, the team does have a chance to win 20 games for the second straight season. Stay with us all night long as the Storm tries to do just that.