Williams helps Seattle Storm beat Liberty in Bird’s NY finale

NEW YORK (AP) — Gabby Williams scored a season-high 23 factors in an 81-72 Seattle Storm win over the New York Liberty on Sunday in what was Storm guard Sue Hen’s ultimate regular-season sport in her hometown.

Seattle Storm 81, New York Liberty 72: Field rating

Hen, the league’s all-time assists chief, introduced Thursday that she would retire on the finish of the 2022 season. She grew up in Lengthy Island, about an hour from Barclays Heart.

Hen sealed the sport with a 3-pointer because the shot clock ran down with 18.9 seconds left. She held her follow-through a lot to the admiration of the group, who gave her a standing ovation as she got here out of the sport proper after. The 21-year veteran completed with 11 factors.

The Liberty honored her pregame with a four-minute video tribute, and one-time teammates Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Howard gave Hen a jacket and jersey that featured each New York staff stitched into them.

New York gamers wore shirts that mentioned: “Thank You Sue. Love, New York” whereas they warmed up an hour earlier than the sport.

Hen wanted about 100 tickets for household and mates who wished to absorb her final sport in New York. The gang — one of many largest of the season — included her mother, Nancy.

The 41-year-old Hen acquired a standing ovation from the group when she was launched. She had a comparatively quiet first half with two factors, three assists and two rebounds as Seattle led 39-37 on the break.

The sport was tight all through, and Seattle (10-6) led 75-72 within the ultimate minute earlier than Williams hit a 3-pointer with 53.3 seconds left from the wing after a scramble for the ball.

Marine Johannes scored a career-high 23 factors to guide New York (6-10). Sabrina Ionescu added 12 factors, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Liberty.

RETURN OF DIDI

DiDi Richards performed in her second sport of the season, getting back from a proper hamstring harm. She checked in halfway via the primary quarter. Richards completed the sport taking part in 13 minutes and scored one level and 4 rebounds.

Seattle Storm legend Sue Hen says 2022 is her ultimate season