Stewart puts on show with Jackson in Seattle

SEATTLE — With former three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson in attendance as a part of a sellout crowd Wednesday, Seattle Storm ahead Breanna Stewart continued her push for a second MVP award, scoring a season-high 33 factors in 31 minutes because the Storm defeated the Minnesota Lynx 89-77.

Jackson, who performed her whole 12-year WNBA profession in Seattle, returned to the town for the primary time since having her No. 15 jersey retired in 2016 throughout Stewart’s rookie season. Having the franchise’s different MVP in attendance helped encourage Stewart’s efficiency.

“To me, LJ is clearly a legend, among the best to ever do it,” she mentioned. “The truth that we have now comparable paths now after being drafted in Seattle and attempting to take something that I can from her recreation and add it to mine. Rising up, she was one of many gamers that I used to be wanting as much as due to her versatility, the inside-out recreation.

“To have the ability to have her right here, clearly it is an honor, I feel it is wonderful for her to be right here for Sue [Bird] and also you wish to placed on a present for her. She’s positively somebody that I look as much as, and we mentioned it within the locker room, however she helped construct what we’re with the Storm. Actually appreciating that and by no means forgetting it.”

Like Stewart, Jackson discovered her biggest success alongside Fowl, who has introduced she’s going to retire on the finish of the 2022 season. Fowl was drafted No. 1 general in 2002, a 12 months after Seattle took Jackson with the identical decide, and collectively the 2 stars lifted the Storm to titles in 2004 and 2010. The Fowl-Stewart combo has matched that with championships in 2018 and 2020.

Due to the space from Jackson’s native Australia, she has not often returned to Seattle since final taking part in within the WNBA in 2012. The timing of Fowl’s ultimate season matched up properly with Jackson already having traveled to america with the Australian nationwide workforce for a coaching camp and exhibitions final week, permitting her to go to for Fowl’s second-to-last house recreation of the common season.

Earlier than the sport, Jackson downplayed her personal significance whereas praising Stewart’s recreation.

“Stewie is simply unimaginable,” Jackson mentioned. “As an expert athlete, she’s developed into the perfect on the planet. Our video games are completely different within the sense that I am in all probability a bit bit larger and I play inside a bit bit extra, however what she will do inside and outdoors, there is no one higher than right here. She’s nice.

“I am simply an outdated athlete. I am simply an ex-Storm participant. What she’s doing is unimaginable, and it is enjoyable to observe as a fan.”

Jackson was reminded she is greater than only a former participant when she visited the Seattle locker room postgame to congratulate the workforce on the win.

“She was simply very appreciative and grateful,” Storm coach Noelle Quinn mentioned. “Our gamers had been like, ‘No, thanks.’ She’s like, ‘Most likely none of you in right here know who I’m.’ We’re like, ‘What? No, they positively know.’ She’s simply amazed at our workforce and the way we performed tonight.

“That is a legend in entrance of us, and I believed it was a tremendous second for our group to have one of many greats not just for this group however within the recreation of basketball be standing in entrance of us. I believed it was wonderful.”

Stewart received off to a powerful begin Wednesday, scoring 12 factors and handing out 4 assists within the first quarter as Seattle opened up a 12-point lead and by no means seemed again. She wanted simply 20 shot makes an attempt and two journeys to the free throw line to attain 33 factors, ending with eight rebounds and 5 assists in considered one of her greatest performances of the season.