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Your Day in Women’s Basketball, August 14: Odyssey Sims and Sue Bird return

PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Sky at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Sky at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Lynx retain Odyssey Sims while Sue Bird returns from injury for the Storm

The great Sue Bird is back, and already showing how valuable a 39-year old can be in the league (read: very valuable). Bird is averaging 10 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 53(!) percent from three-point range this season.

Yeah, it’s safe to say the Storm are pretty dangerous.

“She was the missing piece, our team was complete again and she’s our floor general, she’s our floor leader so just to have her out there with us was a boost in itself,” said forward Alysha Clark.

Everything the 8-1 Storm can add to their lineup is a luxury at this point, but Bird brings more than just a veteran presence. She does more than give Jordin Canada and Sami Whitcomb a break on offense.

Bird is a marquee player that opens up Seattle’s offense, and her return could elevate the 2020 Storm into the GOAT-season conversation. Their ceiling is endless.

More from Atlanta Dream

Speaking of returns: Odyssey Sims is back, and frankly, it isn’t fair to the rest of the league. The Minnesota Lynx went 6-2 without Sims and welcomed back the All-Star on Thursday against the Aces.

In Sims’ absence, rookie guard Crystal Dangerfield (who somehow fell to the second round?) has stepped up to the tune of 28 minutes and 12 points per game. She’ll get her rest now.

Sims can give the Lynx the playmaking boost that her absence has warranted. Her ability to drive and kick the ball out to Napheesa Collier and Damiris Dantas could also add a new facet to the Lynx death lineup.

The Atlanta Dream are in a tailspin, and in this 22-game season, that may be the nail in the coffin. With Chennedy Carter, Atlanta lost to Seattle by 1 point. Without her? They fell by 37.

The Storm are a bad matchup for the Dream thanks to the speed of Jordin Canada and their lights-out three-point shooting, and its hard to imagine the Dream getting any worse than this. Just ask their GM Chris Sienko.

On the other side of the coin, you’ll find the Connecticut Sun, who have found a formula for winning basketball. The secret? A strong energized bench unit that can give DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas some well-needed rest. If the playoffs started today, the Sun would be tied for the last playoff spot. Don’t count them out just yet.

“A lot of pride on that comeback, but we don’t do that without our bench. Beatrice, big four minutes for us. Bria Holmes gave us big minutes, Kaila Charles was in foul trouble. Again, the presence of Bri January, our bench which won’t show up necessarily on a stat sheet, really helped us get to the finish line tonight,” head coach Curt Miller said.

Down in TCU, Lauren Heard and the Horned Frogs teamed up and joined the End Racism event in Ft. Worth, Texas. In the typical Texas heat, TCU painted their names into the “End” sidewalk mural and discussed their reasoning. Read this piece from Lauren Rosenberg on why these players in a Red city (and Red state) marched, protested, and painted.

Thursday’s Games

Despite Sims return, the Minnesota Lynx fell to the streaking Las Vegas Aces 87-77 as A’ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry combined for 44 points.

The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the plummeting Washington Mystics 81-64 behind a balanced scoring attack.

The Indiana Fever squeaked past the New York Liberty 86-79 despite a late-game push from Layshia Clarendon and the young Liberty roster.

Play of the Day

This absolutely filthy crossover from Tiffany Mitchell

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