Suzy Batkovic News

Once again the Storm made early postseason plans as it was knocked out of the playoffs in the opening round for the fifth straight season.

The WNBA has been forced to shift another playoff series because of an arena conflict, this time moving the Los Angeles Sparks out of Staples Center because of a Britney Spears concert and a heavyweight title fight.

Los Angeles Sparks centre Lisa Leslie knocks the ball from the hands of Seattle Storm forward Camille Little.

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.

Perhaps not having Lauren Jackson is a good thing for the Storm. Jackson is out indefinitely with two stress fractures in her lower back, and her absence has created more minutes for post-position reserves, allowing them to gain valuable experience.

The Storm could clinch a playoff spot tonight with a victory over Connecticut at KeyArena, but they might have to do it without Lauren Jackson.

Swin Cash, center, of the Storm maneuvers to the hoop against Washington's Marissa Coleman and Chasity Melvin in Tuesday's game at KeyArena.

Connecticut Sun's Sandrine Gruda, left, scores two of her game-high 14 points while being guarded by Seattle Storm's Suzy Batkovic-Brown during the second half of Connecticut's 64-53 victory in their WNBA basketball game in Uncasville, Conn., on Thursday, Aug.

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.

Phoenix's DeWanna Bonner comes over the top of Seattle's Tanisha Wright as the fight for a loose ball in the second quarter Tuesday night.

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.

Almost a third of the way through the WNBA season, Storm coach Brian Agler is confident with his backcourt rotations but still tweaking how to play his posts.

Seattle's Suzy Batkovic-Brown, right, drives to the basket past Minnesota Lynx's Christi Thomas on Friday.

Suzy Batkovic-Brown isn't supposed to be here. Drafted in 2003 by former the Storm coach Anne Donovan and playing one season in 2005, Batkovic-Brown wished good riddance to the WNBA.

How difficult is it to learn Storm coach Brian Agler's offense? "It's almost impossible," the second-season coach said.

After 40 minutes of basketball, Minnesota discovered its Lynx are still kittens.

Percentages: FG .410, FT .824. Three-point goals: 6-10, .600 . Team rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: 20 .