Injured Bird hopes to return this season
UNCASVILLE — Sue Bird hopes to return to the court this season. She’s not going to do anything silly, though, as she works her way back from arthroscopic surgery on her left knee.
“Honestly, I’m hoping to be healthy. For me, that means being smart and doing what I have to do to make sure I’m 100 percent,” the 11-time All-Star said Sunday following the Seattle Storm’s 81-67 loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. “Do I love the fact that I have to potentially miss a season? No, I hate it. Do I think it’s the end of the world? No. The WNBA’s so short, you get one little nick and you could be done for the season.”
The UConn legend underwent a procedure in May to clean up a loose body in her knee. Initial reports had Bird missing anywhere from eight weeks to the full season, but the 38-year-old point guard insisted she doesn’t have a precise timetable.
“I don’t know who got a timetable from where,” Bird said. “There was no way of knowing what it was until Dr. (Michael) Joyce went in — seriously. As it turned out, they couldn’t do it just arthroscopically. He had to make a little incision on the side. There was no way to know that.”
Without Bird and reigning MVP Breanna Stewart, who is out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, the defending champion Storm have gotten off to a 5-4 start. Bird said that Stewart, who has been rehabbing in Los Angeles, is “doing well.”
“I think it’s tough for anybody, especially when it’s your first time having a major injury. It’s to be expected,” Bird said. “I’m sure there’s highs and lows for her, but I think for the most part, she’s making the best of it. Again, (she’s) being smart with her rehab, which is key, especially when you’re a young buck. There can be pressures to go too fast and be ahead of schedule.”
Bird spent most of Sunday’s game on the bench, but also hopped on the ABC broadcast alongside Geno Auriemma, who was serving as a guest analyst. Her teammates flew in a day before and practiced at UConn.
The trip to Storrs allowed Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis a chance to reminisce as well as connect with a few current Huskies, including Crystal Dangerfield, Megan Walker, Evina Westbrook, Evelyn Adebayo and Batouly Camara.
“I’m old now. I don’t know any of them,” said Mosqueda-Lewis, a fourthyear forward. “They seem to be liking it so far.”
Mosqueda-Lewis, who made a school-record 398
3-pointers from 2011-15, hugged Auriemma at midcourt Sunday before continuing with her warmups.
“I told him he looked old,” Mosqueda-Lewis joked. “He’s looking like he’s aging out there. His hair’s so light now. But I guess that’s what time does to you.”
Mosqueda-Lewis came into the game averaging 5.8 points and 1.7 assists across
14.1 minutes. She’s already started four games, matching a career-high.