In Seattle, the Mystics beat up the Storm-- literally: DeLisha Milton-Jones got T'd up in the first half, grabbed Sue Bird's shoulder in the second, made contact with Bird's mask, and later caused Bird to land on her face. Charlotte Smith-Taylor picked up a flagrant (for grabbing Lauren Jackson's head); Milton-Jones never did.

Bird sounds almost fatalistic: "I've been playing against her for four years and if you ask anybody, they would probably pin her as one of the dirtiest [players] in the league. It's just how she plays. You come to expect it.""

Bird scored 16, all in the second half, and Izzy Castro-Marques managed 19 (a career high) but it wasn't enough as the Storm blew a second-half lead, allowing the Mystics to shoot 59%. Betty Lennox says "we're not going to win if we don't get our swagger back." Bird, Castro-Marques and coach Donovan say what their team really needs is some defense.

Phoenix demolished the Sting. The Mercury shot over 58% from the floor: the Big Three (DeForge, Taurasi, Taylor) accomplished an even more impressive 19-28. For Charlotte, Jia Perkins-- a second-year player with a remarkable history-- scored 21.

Phoenix have now won three in a row with Stepanova and without Pierson. On the other hand, wins against San Antonio, Charlotte, and Seattle (soon after the Storm's exhausting 0-4 road trip) may not tell you how Phoenix will handle the league's best teams.