Sue Bird plays final regular season home game with Storm
Aug 8, 2022, 7:22 AM
Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm looks on during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Sunday was the final regular season home game for Seattle Storm legend and future WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Bird.
Seattle mayor Bruce Harrell even declared Sunday “Sue Bird Day,” and Climate Pledge Arena hosted a franchise-record 18,000 fans to come and watch the spectacle.
In the end, the Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces, 89-81, but the day was filled with emotion and gratitude for Bird.
Bird has spent her entire 21-year WNBA career with the Storm, winning four WNBA championships in that span.
Bird finished Sunday’s game with nine points on four-of-nine shooting, six assists, four rebounds and a steal.
KIRO 7 caught up with several fans before the game as they reflected on the legendary career of the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists, games played and All-Star game appearances.
“Being a pioneer not only for the WNBA, but for equality and also just for women’s rights as well,” said Kendrick Carter.
“Sue Bird has been an icon; a young, independent woman who, anything that she has set her mind to, she’s done,” said Sophia Price. “Not only is she a huge advocate for the community, for young women and just young athletes in Seattle, but globally as well too. She’s just a powerhouse in women’s basketball.”
While Sunday felt like a goodbye from Bird, she did remind the crowd that she would see everyone in the playoffs — if the Storm secure the fourth seed in the Western Conference, they’ll host at least two more games at Climate Pledge Arena.
During the postgame ceremony, Bird got a bit emotional as athletes like LeBron James, Bird’s fiancee Megan Rapinoe and former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson all paid tribute to Bird and what she means to Seattle and to basketball.
