The Mercury needed a win in Seattle. They lost. Taurasi had 31, a career high; Vodichkova played superbly, but nobody else from Phoenix did much.

Lauren Jackson strained her lower back and sat for the second half. Pelton advises Storm fans not to worry: "the relative lack of importance of this game played into that decision."

Vodichkova finally picked up her ring from last year's championship. "I really miss my fans [in Seattle]," she said. "I felt like home, but when I scored I didn't get the applause."

Anne Donovan got plenty of applause after the game, when Storm fans heard about her new multi-year contract.

Taurasi on the Merc's missed playoff chances: "We didn't deserve to go."