Betty Lennox News

Gary Ashlock vividly recalls the moment. He was driving home to Malakoff after having just had a conversation with Leon Spencer, then the athletic director at Henderson County Junior College.

Detroit Coach Rick Mahorn said he knew Deanna Nolan was going to come back strong after sustaining a concussion in the Shock's last game.

The WNBA tips off its 2009 playoffs on Wednesday night. Here are five storylines to watch.

Storm: Sue Bird, 5-10, 12.8 ppg, 5.8 apg. Sparks: Kristi Harrower, 5-4, 3.1 ppg, 2.2 apg.

The Storm has lost in the first round of the WNBA playoffs each of the past four years.

The circumstances were different, but the Sparks had already traveled down this path.

Sue Bird understands what a milestone it is to reach the playoffs six consecutive years.

One week ago, things were looking a bit bleak for the Los Angeles Sparks. They were coming off of back-to-back home losses to New York and Sacramento - the last place team in each conference - and fell to 8-13 on the season.

Seattle @ Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Taken a gander at the WNBA transaction wire lately? All of the potential Western Conference playoff teams have added punch except Seattle, which is three games behind conference leader Phoenix.

Seattle @ Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Taken a gander at the WNBA transaction wire lately? All of the potential Western Conference playoff teams have added punch except Seattle, which is three games behind conference leader Phoenix.

Apparently WNBA fans aren't getting enough bang for their buck at their teams' games.

Seattle @ Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Taken a gander at the WNBA transaction wire lately? All of the potential Western Conference playoff teams have added punch except Seattle, which is three games behind conference leader Phoenix.

Lauren Jackson had 23 points and 13 rebounds and the Seattle Storm beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 85-82 in overtime on Saturday night.

The Storm's past came back to life on Friday, when players who helped build the 10-year-old franchise gathered again at the team's practice facility.

Tina Thompson scored a season-high 30 points, and the Los Angeles Sparks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 76-70 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night at Target Center.

Seattle Storm star Lauren Jackson played her best game of the season at home against the Los Angeles Sparks last month.

Three members of the Seattle Storm will be in the starting lineup for the Western Conference at the WNBA All-Star game July 25 in Uncasville, Conn.

Cathrine Kraayeveld made two free throws with 11.5 seconds left to lift the New York Liberty to a 71-69 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night.

Swin Cash, who led all scorers with 18 points, earns two in the first half against the Monarchs' Kara Lawson.

Swin Cash matched her season high with 18 points, leading the Seattle Storm on Thursday.