Storm forward Shaunzinski Gortman is out for the season with a torn right ACL.
Gortman — who worked her way back into the WNBA after missing the 2005 season and signed with the Storm as a free agent in March — said she would wait a month to have surgery in order to allow the swelling in the knee to subside and to build up strength in her right quadriceps as part of the pre-surgery rehabilitation.
"I was hoping for the best, but I knew something wasn't right," said Gortman of suffering the injury as she drove to the hoop in the fourth quarter of Seattle's 86-66 victory over New York on Friday. "I had this feeling before I actually did it and I kind of knew."
Gortman, 26, wants to stay in Seattle for her pre-surgery rehab, but she will accompany the team on its upcoming four-game trip. If the knee isn't where she'd like it to be at the first stop, in Charlotte, she'll remain behind. Gortman's home is about 45 minutes outside the city.
Storm coach Anne Donovan said the team will lean on reserve guard Tanisha Wright even more in Gortman's absence. Rookie Barbara Turner and Iziane Castro Marques will also be expected to help fill the void.
"Losing Shaun is definitely a hit," Donovan said.
The Storm can't utilize the league's "hardship" rule, which allows teams to exceed the 12-player roster maximum if three of those players are injured. Seattle has serious injuries to Gortman and forwards Wendy Palmer (left Achilles) and All-Star Lauren Jackson (left shin). But since Jackson still plays, she counts as healthy.
Player of the game: Sun guard Katie Douglas brushed off an 11-point, six-turnover performance in a loss at Sacramento on Saturday to score a game-high 26 against the Storm. She added five assists and four rebounds.
Reserve of the game: Sun power forward Asjha Jones found herself playing small forward in the absence of injured teammate Nykesha Sales. Her height and skills helped her finish with 15 points and four boards.
Digits: The Storm was 4-for-14 shooting in the third quarter for 10 points.
Next: Vs. Sacramento, noon Tuesday, KeyArena.
Donovan, who also is the Storm's director of player personnel, said she can't beat Thursday's trade deadline to find help with her reserve perimeter rotation, either.
"There's nothing that we're working on right now," she said. "It would [help] if we had more to offer in a trade. We could use something, but we're not willing to give up what people want."
Aussie visit
Jan Stirling, coach of the Australian national team, attended Sunday's game to see Aussies Jackson and Sun rookie Erin Phillips. Stirling will also make stops in Indiana, Washington, D.C., and San Antonio to evaluate players in preparation for the World Championship in September.
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