When the Seattle Storm departs for Sacramento later this afternoon, center Lauren Jackson will not be with the team. Jackson underwent an MRI today which confirmed the diagnosis of a mild strain of her left Achilles tendon. After Jackson returned from the doctor, she and the Storm’s training staff quickly conferred with Head Coach Brian Agler and decided the best course of treatment was for Jackson, who is day-to-day, to get treatment here in Seattle instead of joining her team, which faces the Monarchs tomorrow (7:00 p.m., 1150-AM KKNW, LiveAccess).
“We’re going to measure the best treatment she can get to get back on the court,” Agler told reporters after practice, before he had a chance to speak with Jackson. “Since it’s only a two-day trip, it might be staying here.”
As far as replacing Jackson in the lineup, Agler said, “If Lauren doesn’t go, I would imagine we’ll start Janell (Burse).” It was Burse who finished the game in place of Jackson last night against Detroit after Jackson left the court for the locker room late in the third quarter. Agler also gave extra minutes off the bench to reserves Suzy Batkovic-Brown and Ashley Robinson, who have not been part of the team’s rotation.
Because she was still en route from the MRI, Jackson was unavailable to comment on her condition. Agler added simply, “I know it was very sore.”
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More minutes for Suzy? He played her 1:16 minutes, you know we need her to be game ready, and practice will only do SO MUCH! While Sue and LJ have kind of disappeared, and LJ is injured NOW would be a good time to get her real playing time. Otherwise we will end up the same way we have for the last 4 seasons. So we lose in Sac, just get ARob and Suzy into the rotation with the starters. Again LJ and Sue are getting worn out before the season is half over making them more susceptible to injuries, and we see it did just that to LJ last night.
Come on Storm, we fans haven’t given up on you, but it doesn’t seem your hearts have been into it lately. I know the refs were hard on you all last night, especially Swin and T, they didn’t deserve all those fouls when the refs missed so many against the Storm. 2 games now we have had bumbling idiots, they seemed as confused and lost and as blind as bats. Please bring June back, she is seasoned and lets the players play unless it is the kind of foul you can’t ignore. It seems every for every play the whistled is blown. Never have I wanted to go up to the refs and make the whistles a permanent part of their lips as I did last night.
Ok, rant over, please Storm remember your defense has been the best in the league, and remember this team you have already beaten 3 times, make it a sweep! I still love ya Storm, but please get back your fire, the fire you had when you were pretty much unbeatable at home and the way you started the road games with more wins then losses. GO STORM!
The Storm will overcome this
i have all the confident in the Storm
Go get them
Our Time Is Now
Come on ladies, you can do it! There is some incredible talent on this team and I think they have the ability to go very far. Just need everyone to sync up and make those crucial plays and then it doesnt hurt so bad when LJ misses a game. Lets pick up the confidence and roll over the next few teams like you own them! Lets also hope that the refs will ease up on Swin and Tanisha a bit… jeez
First of all, I’ve not given up on this team. We all know by now this city has its share of fair-weather fans in every sport. I simply refuse to be one for the Storm. I’ve been a Season Ticket Holder since the 1999 and the rally to bring a WNBA franchise to the city. Everyone who sits near me knows I yell my heart out at every game.
I have to agree with the comment by Forec10rulz on the point that bench players need more game time. Make that QUALITY time. They need more than just garbage minutes at the end of the game. I’ve seen articles in the Seattle Times recently about working other players into the rotation. Well, let’s see it in action. How can anyone be expected to pop up off the bench in the 3rd or 4th quarter, be game-ready and play perfect basketball? Especially if those players only get 2 minutes every other game or so? Let’s see more of A-Rob, Suzy, Katie Geralds out on the hardwood. And hopefully Ashley Walker will be on the mend so we can see her out on the court, too!
Face it, the refs are going to stink no matter what. I’m not even sure the Lion’s Club could help their vision any. We can’t help that, so let’s support our team. Ladies get out there and play your best. We know you’ve got the talent, skill, ability and fortitude to show those other teams how it’s done. We’re here rooting for you, whether you’re playing at home or on the road. LET’S GO STORM! Oh, and don’t forget DEFENSE!
Storm where are your hearts? We are behind you all the way; don’t lose confidence. Put your defense into action, survival of the fittest. Your chance of taking the title is as good as any of the other teams. You just have to want it. LET”S GO STORM!