We’ve known for a long time that this was Sue Bird’s “last dance”. At 41, the legendary playmaker therefore played her last career meeting against the Las Vegas Aces, in the semi-finals of the playoffs.
After winning the first game of the series, the Seattle Storm indeed lost the following three meetings.
Limited to 8 points and 8 assists (3/8 shooting, 4 bullet losses) in this Game 4 of the series (97-92), Sue Bird has mainly relied on the performance of her teammates to extend her career. Breanna Stewart thus broke her career high (and equaled Angel McCoughtry’s playoff record) with 42 points, Jewell Loyd also breaking her playoff record with 29 points.
Insufficient against the collective strike force of Becky Hammon’s team, and the clutch baskets of Chelsea Gray (31 points, 10 assists), well helped by A’ja Wilson (23 points), Jackie Young (18 points) and Kelsey Plum (15 points).
An exceptional track record
In the final, the Las Vegas Aces will challenge the Chicago Sky or the Connecticut Sun, now tied (2-2) in the other semi-final of these WNBA playoffs and who must play a decisive Game 5.
Faithful to the Seattle Storm since her debut in the WNBA, Sue Bird therefore leaves the scene with an exceptional CV since she was four times WNBA champion, 13 times All-Star, five times in the All-WNBA First Team, that she is the best passer in the history of the league but also the player who has played the most matches!
We can add five titles in the Euroleague (2007–2010, 2013), two in the NCAA (2000, 2002) or even five gold medals at the Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020)…
