By: Nina Samone
At age 41, Sue Bird has become the oldest player to have a double-double in the WNBA playoffs.
Her 18 points, 10 assists double-double helped lead the Seattle Storm to victory, sweeping the Washington Mystics in a 97-84 Game 2 victory.
This victory advances the Storm to the WNBA semifinals for the third time since 2018. In Sue Bird’s career, Seattle is undefeated in the semifinals and WNBA finals, winning titles all four times the team has advanced that far.
This win is important for the Storm, because it means they will be able to stay home and rest instead of flying across the country to play a Game 3 with the Mystics.
“It was really reminding us of what’s at stake,” Bird joked after receiving a flight notification via Delta airlines. “No, I do not want to check a bag!”
Seattle will face off against the Las Vegas Ace, who completed a sweep of the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday.
Sue Bird is guaranteed at least one more home game at Climate Pledge Arena before her retirement from the WNBA.
Currently in the WNBA playoffs:
The Las Vegas Aces are into the semifinals after defeating the Phoenix Mercury in Vegas 117-80. They were redeemed from last year’s Game 5 semifinal playoff loss at home, setting a record for most 3-pointers – playoff or regular season – in a game with 23.
The Dallas Wings extended their season on Sunday the 21st with an 89-79 win over the Connecticut Sun. This is Dallas’ first playoff win since September 23rd, 2009. The conclusion of that series will be on Wednesday, September 24th at 9pm.
The Chicago Sky defeated the New York Liberty with a playoff record 38-point win on Saturday, August 20th, forcing a Game 3. Game 3 will be played tomorrow at 7pm.
Sources:
Pelton, Kevin. August 2022. ESPN. “Sue Bird, 41, becomes oldest player to record a WNBA playoff double-double; Storm win Game 2.” <https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34437770/sue-bird-41-becomes-oldest-player-wnba-history-record-playoff-double-double-game-2>
