Bird hits game-winner for Storm

Sue Bird’s 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds left, her only points of the game, lifted the Seattle Storm to a 77-75 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday in New York.

“The minute it left I knew it was good. It was right on line,” said Bird, who missed her first six shots – including four 3s. “I know it’s a cliche’, but if you miss your last 10 (shots) you’re going to make your next 10. You got to keep shooting. I’m glad I had the opportunity and I’m glad I made it.”

Lauren Jackson had 23 points and 17 rebounds, and Iziane Castro Marques also scored 23 points for Seattle, which ended a three-game losing streak. Janell Burse added 10 points.

“The plan was to get the ball to Izzy and draw the defense to get an open shot,” Storm coach Anne Donovan said of the winning shot. “I think for the majority of the game Sue did not look super confident taking her shot. It was probably one reason why (the Liberty) went to a zone and stayed in the zone.”

Bird was playing in her second game since having knee surgery on July 6. She returned on Friday night at Connecticut and had seven points on 3-for-14 shooting in a loss to the Sun.

Erin Thorn, Loree Moore and Janel McCarville each had 16 points for the Liberty, who lost their fourth straight. Cathrine Kraayeveld and Ashley Battle scored 10 apiece.

Sun 81, Comets 79: At Uncasville, Conn., Asjha Jones hit an 11-foot jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining to give Connecticut a win over Houston.

Jones finished with 22 points for Connecticut, which won its sixth-straight game and edged above .500 for the first time in six weeks. Katie Douglas led the Sun with 25 points.

Sky 84, Silver Stars 82 (OT): At Chicago, Dominique Canty’s jumper with 6 seconds left in overtime lifted the Sky to a victory over San Antonio.

Jia Perkins scored 27 points, and is averaging 21.4 the last five games, to lead the Sky to their second straight win after a five-game losing streak.

Mercury 106, Lynx 93: At Phoenix, Penny Taylor had 28 points and nine rebounds and Tangela Smith scored a season-high 24 points to lead the Mercury to a victory over Minnesota.

Diana Taurasi added 13 points for the Mercury, who moved into a tie with Sacramento for second place in the Western Conference. Smith had 17 points in the first half and finished a career-best 4 for 5 on 3-pointers.