Storm Schedule Breakdown
Key Games
In its home opener, the Storm will be out for payback after the Lynx won the season series 3-1 last season. That proved to be the tiebreaker as Minnesota claimed the fourth seed in the playoffs and the Storm stayed home.
The Storm and the Sparks renew their rivalry early in the season at KeyArena. Storm fans love to hate Los Angeles, so look for the Key to be rockin’ and rollin’ for the arrival of Lisa Leslie and company.
 Taurasi could make her Seattle debut June 3. Hartford Courant |
The Storm gets an early look at the new-look Mercury, including their first pick of the 2004 WNBA Draft – expected to be UConn guard Diana Taurasi – as well as #1 dispersal pick Penny Taylor and a new coach after John Shumate stepped down last week.
June 1 – at Los Angeles Sparks
The Storm and Sparks reunite at the STAPLES Center. The Storm had won two straight regular-season games in Los Angeles before being dealt an 84-75 setback before the All-Star break.
June 3 – vs. Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury makes its first visit to KeyArena, giving Seattle fans a chance to see the number one pick.
June 5 – at Sacramento Monarchs
While the Sparks are the Storm’s unquestioned rival, its relationship with the Sacramento Monarchs isn’t exactly on great terms either. The Storm will be looking for its first win ever at ARCO Arena, where Seattle is 0-7 all-time.
June 15 – at New York Liberty
Storm point guard Sue Bird makes her return to her native New York, but she won’t go up against Teresa Weatherspoon. The veteran Liberty fixture signed as a free agent with the Sparks over the off-season.
June 18 – at Houston Comets
The Storm faces the Comets for the first time in 2004, and plays its first game at the Toyota Center. The Storm isn’t sad to see the Compaq Center go – the team was also 0-7 there.
June 19 – at San Antonio Silver Stars
Last season, the Silver Stars were one of the league’s worst teams, but they present a new look this season after selecting LaToya Thomas in the Dispersal Draft and trading their lottery pick to the Connecticut Sun for All-Star point guard Shannon Johnson. The Silver Stars also have a new coach, former Miracle head man Dee Brown.
June 22 – vs. Houston Comets
The Comets, including former MVPs Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper, make their first visit to KeyArena.
June 26 – vs. New York Liberty
The Storm takes on the Liberty in Spokane, giving fans from the eastern part of the state a chance to catch live Storm action.
 Johnson replaces Jennifer Azzi at the point in San Antonio. Ray Amati/WNBAE/Getty |
The new-look Silver Stars arrive in Seattle for the first time.
July 3 – vs. Sacramento Monarchs
All-Stars Yolanda Griffith and Ticha Penicheiro lead the Monarchs into KeyArena.
July 8 – at Charlotte Sting
Storm Coach Anne Donovan returns to Charlotte, where she coached the Sting to the 2001 WNBA Finals.
July 10 – at Detroit Shock
The Storm heads into Detroit to face the defending WNBA Champion Shock.
July 22 – vs. Indiana Fever
Forward Tamika Catchings, the MVP runner-up behind the Storm’s Lauren Jackson, makes her only KeyArena appearance with the Fever.
August 1 – vs. Charlotte Sting
The Storm plays its only August game and its last before the WNBA takes a month-long break for the 2004 Summer Olympics. It’s your last chance to catch Storm action for nearly a month!
September 1 – vs. Sacramento Monarchs
The Storm returns to action in what could be a battle for playoff positioning with the Monarchs.
September 8 – vs. Detroit Shock
Led by All-Stars Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford and Deanna Nolan, the defending champion Shock makes its only KeyArena appearance.
September 12 – at Connecticut Sun
Bird returns to the state she came to fame in as point guard for the University of Connecticut.
 Leslie and company close the regular season at KeyArena. Lisa Blumenfeld/WNBAE/Getty |
The Storm closes the season with a doozy – the Sparks second appearance in Seattle, which could be another battle for playoff positioning.
Other Schedule Notes
