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Superstar Lauren Jackson has made a successful start to her 2008 WNBA campaign, leading Seattle to a 67-61 season-opening victory over Chicago.
The league’s reigning MVP, Jackson had a poor shooting night but still finished with a team-high 14 points, adding six boards and two steals.
Jackson hit 6-of-19 from the field, including just one of her six three-point attempts.
The Australian captain’s shooting mirrored that of her new-look team in a poor opening half, but a 23-1 run to end the third quarter ended the contest.
“In the second half, we just got into the flow and showed some pretty great things,” said Jackson, who had just two points at halftime on 1-of-10 shooting.
“When our defence breaks down, it generally takes a toll on our offence.
“If we get it right defensively, good things will come.”
The Storm rebuilt in the off-season and are an intimidating team as they chase a second championship.
As well as Jackson and fellow star Sue Bird, they now boast former league MVPs Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith and another All-Star in Swin Cash – every one of them an Olympian.
In other games on opening day, Tully Bevilaqua made it a successful start for Australians in the American league, scoring eight points in Indiana’s 64-53 triumph over Washington.
Katie Douglas scored 24 points in her Indiana debut, while Nakia Sanford finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Mystics.
In Phoenix, No.1 draft pick Candace Parker scored 34 points – the most ever in a WNBA debut – and added 12 rebounds to help Los Angeles beat the defending champion Mercury 99-94.
Australia’s Penny Taylor has decided to skip this season and return home to prepare for the Olympics and the Mercury missed her on the day the club unfurled their 2007 championship banner.
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Katie Smith scored 21 points and Plenette Pierson added 17 to help Detroit cruise past Houston 85-66.
Alexis Hornbuckle, the No.4 draft pick by the Shock, had eight points and set a franchise record with seven steals, less than two months after helping Tennessee win the NCAA championship.
Tina Thompson led Houston with 17 points and Mwadi Mabika and rookie Matee Ajavon added 12 each.
And in Connecticut, Tamika Whitmore had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Sun past Atlanta, the newest franchise in the WNBA, 100-67.
Asjha Jones added 18 points, Barbara Turner 15 and Lindsay Whalen 11 for the Sun, who scored 100 points in regulation for the second time in franchise history.
Betty Lennox led Atlanta with 17 points.
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