Seattle Storm's Sue Bird draws attention as she drives into the lane for a shot in the first quarter against the Washington Mystics during a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) - Sue Bird scored 12 points and matched the WNBA record for victories in a career as the Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics 85-71 on Thursday night.
Bird, playing at home for the first time since announcing last week that she'll retire at the end of the season, tied Minnesota star Lindsay Whalen for the most career wins with 323.
Jewell Loyd hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points and Breanna Stewart had 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Seattle.
Washington pulled within 69-67 after consecutive 3-pointers by Elena Delle Donne and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough before Seattle went on a decisive 14-2 run and restored a double-digit lead.
Ezi Magbegor scored 20 points and Bird added eight assists for Seattle (11-6). The Storm made 12 3-pointers and shot 45.6% overall.
Delle Donne led Washington (11-9) with 20 points in just 29 minutes. Myisha Hines-Allen had 12 points, and Ariel Atkins and Alysha Clark each scored 11. Clark moved past 2,000 career points.
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Washington Mystics' Shatori Walker-Kimbrough tries to tie up Settle Storm's Breanna Stewart in the lane, but ends up being called for the foul during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Seattle Storm's Ezi Macbegor turns and scores over Washington Mystics' Elena Delle Donne during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Washington Mystics' Shatori Walker-Kimbrough tries to tie up Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart in the lane, but ends up being called for the foul during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart (30) and Jewell Loyd team up to deny Washington Mystics' Shakira Austin a put-back under the basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Washington Mystics' Shakira Austin scores between Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart, left, and Gabby Williams (5) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Associated Press