Fast Break

WNBA

Storm have Bird in hand

Sue Bird, a five-time All-Star, signed a multiyear contract Friday to remain with the Seattle Storm.

Bird will join league Most Valuable Player Lauren Jackson and newly signed stars Sheryl Swoopes and Swin Cash on the Storm.

Since winning the WNBA title in 2004, Seattle has lost in the first round of the playoffs the last three seasons.

“Seattle is home for me, and I am very excited to be back,” the 27-year-old Bird said. “I can’t wait to get back to Seattle to make another run at a championship.”

“With re-signing Sue, and the addition of Swin Cash and Sheryl Swoopes to the incredibly talented players we already have, I couldn’t be more pleased with how our roster has come together,” said new coach Brian Agler, who is also the team’s director of personnel.

NBA

Bowen’s streak ends with kick

San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen was suspended one game by the NBA for kicking Chris Paul, ending his consecutive games streak at 500.

Bowen began his streak, the longest active one in the NBA, on Feb. 28, 2002.

He has started every game since but missed the Spurs’ visit to Detroit on Friday night.

The altercation happened after Paul was called for a foul with 5:15 left in the third quarter of the Spurs’ 100-75 loss to New Orleans on Wednesday.

Besides his streak, Bowen will lose about $373,000.

Inside

Shock update: catching on

Western Washington University grad Andy Olson is among five receivers battling for four roster positions with the Spokane Shock of the arenafootball2 league.

Staff writer Jessica Brown takes a closer look at the Shock receiving corps, which includes veterans Raul Vijil, Kelvin Dickens and Anthony Brown and newcomer Patrick Bugg.

The Shock are preparing for the season opener at Green Bay on March 30.