(AP) SEATTLE — There were tears this time on the court and in the stands. Sue Bird and the thousands who came hoping to see her career continue for at least another 40 minutes were eventually hit with the gravity of the situation.
The Las Vegas Aces advanced to the WNBA Finals thanks to Chelsea Gray's superior play, ending Larry Bird's remarkable career.
In Game 4 of their semifinal series on Tuesday night, the Aces defeated the Seattle Storm 97-92 thanks to Gray's 31 points, 15 of which came in the fourth quarter. With this victory, the Aces moved to the WNBA Finals.
The best-of-five series was won by the Aces 3-1; each game was dramatic, stressful and full of amazing shot-making. The Aces ultimately scored more points, especially Gray, who made five of his final six baskets and contributed 12 of the team's final 20 points.
Nobody on Earth, according to Seattle coach Noelle Quinn, "can guard her." She was unresponsive.
In the franchise's history, Las Vegas will make its third Finals appearance. The Aces, a WNBA bubble team from San Antonio that played in Florida in 2020 and reached the Finals in 2008 before falling to Detroit, were defeated by Seattle.
Similar to the woman who defeated Serena (Williams). According to Aces coach Becky Hammon, it is bittersweet. "I can speak for myself, our staff, team, and organization when I say that we all respect Sue greatly. She has had the kind of fantasy career that little children envision. She experienced it.
Breanna Stewart, the fifth woman to score 40 or more points in a postseason game, tied the WNBA playoff record with 42 points, and Jewell Loyd contributed 29 more. But as Las Vegas went ahead early in the second half, Seattle could not find a third scorer, and the Aces countered every attack Seattle attempted.
In the Finals, The Aces will command attention. On this particular evening, the fallout from the outcome was entirely focused on Bird and the conclusion of her two decades as a cornerstone of the Storm team and the WNBA.
After the final horn, Bird remained on the court and was hugged by every Aces player. She wiped away tears as the audience applauded, wept, and yelled, "Thank you, Sue."
"It has been an honor for me to represent this team and these supporters on the field. I'm at a loss for words, Bird said.
Bird, 41 and the oldest player in the NBA, initially believed that this season would be his last, but he gave the choice finality halfway through the regular season.
When Bird was honored by the team and the league for her 21 seasons with the team and 19 as a player, missing two seasons due to injuries, Las Vegas ruined the celebration in Seattle's home regular-season finale.
And after four tense games punctuated by outstanding performances, the Aces ultimately ousted Bird and the Storm.
With four WNBA championships, five Olympic gold medals, two collegiate championships at UConn, the WNBA's all-time leader in assists and games played, and acclaim as one of the greatest players of the league's golden period, Bird ends her career as one of its most decorated players ever.
She'll retire knowing what it means to lead from the front and come out on top.
But she could not add a fifth title to her ultimate list of accomplishments.
Gray was Seattle's biggest thorn with her clutch shooting, which frequently occurred late in the shot clock. When Seattle tied the score at 67, Gray sank a 3-pointer as the shot clock ran out.
Later in the fourth, Gray made back-to-back baskets to keep the Aces ahead, but with 2:40 remaining, her miss and Gabby Williams' driving layup tied the game at 82 for Seattle. A'ja Wilson was penalized for fouling the play after an official review for striking Williams in the face, and her free throw gave the Storm a one-point advantage.
That was the final lead Seattle had. Wilson's three-point play gave the Aces an 85-83 lead again, and Gray didn't miss, giving them a 92-87 advantage with 30 seconds left on the clock with her jumper. Wilson had 23 points and 13 rebounds in the end.
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