Women's Hoops Blog

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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July 24, 2008 6:43 PM

Injury update

Posted by Jayda Evans

I'm going to stick to Storm coverage because I can't comment on the suspensions or commentator Nancy Lieberman returning to play after a decade's absence without getting snarky.

So the Storm practiced today in Phoenix, and center Yolanda Griffith was on the court with her team. She's expected to return to the starting lineup against Phoenix on Friday after missing Tuesday's win due to a concussion suffered in Sunday's loss to Washington.

Storm forward Sheryl Swoopes shot baskets, but did not participate in the session due to a pulled right hamstring. Swoopes suffered the injury against the Lynx, playing just 11 minutes. She said if she had to decide this afternoon, she would not play. That would mean guard Tanisha Wright would start.

"When I run, it just tightens up on me," Swoopes said of the injury.

Former Storm forward Chelle Thompson attended practice, but didn't get on the floor like broadcaster Adia Barnes. Both were on the 2004 championship team, and Barnes is an active practice player.

"It takes a lot to get these knees going," said Thompson, who lives in the Phoenix area

With San Antonio's win today, the Storm is a half-game back from the Silver Stars for first in the West, already losing the tiebreaker in head-to-head matchups by dropping the three-game series 2-1.

Phoenix is last in the league, but the game will look different without Lauren Jackson. The Storm is expecting the Mercury to play less zone and more man-to-man.

Liebermann has just entered the game in Detroit. She takes Griffith's place as oldest player in the league at 50.

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