Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury

July 15, 2010 12:00 am
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 25: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm drives against Becky Hammon #25 of the San Antonio Silver Stars during the game at the AT&T Center on May 25, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sue Bird;Becky Hammon
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 25: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm drives against Becky Hammon #25 of the San Antonio Silver Stars during the game at the AT&T Center on May 25, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sue Bird;Becky Hammon

What’s the best Seattle pro sports team right now? The Mariners? Put away the rye bread and mustard, Grandma. Seahawks? Maybe someday, but Pete Carroll’s roster overhaul is far from complete. Sounders? Sophomore slumpers. Thunderbirds? They play in Kent. That leaves the Seattle Storm, with a WNBA-leading record of 20-2. Unbeaten in 11 games at the Key, they face their biggest challenge tonight, when a Western Conference rival arrives seeking revenge. On July 14 in Phoenix, the Storm and Mercury played an instant classic, as Sue Bird’s 3-point dagger in the final seconds of the third overtime lifted Seattle, 111-107. In defeat, Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi—a bigger, younger version of Bird who scores more and dishes less—poured in 44 points. Lauren Jackson, who led the Storm with 31 points and 18 rebounds, will need to come up big again this evening. Show up and see what these teams can do for an encore. MICHAEL MAHONEY

Tue., July 27, 6:30 p.m., 2010