Storm brings in former Lynx to help at guard

HOUSTON — It's not ideal — a rookie leading a newcomer through the playbook.

Such is the predicament for the Storm, however, since All-Star Sue Bird announced Tuesday that she's having arthroscopic surgery to remove loose particles in her left knee today. Coach Anne Donovan signed free agent Shona Thorburn to a seven-day contract to back up guard Tanisha Wright, who moves into the starting lineup against Houston tonight.

Thorburn, a 2006 first-round draft pick, has spent the past two days working with rookie Katie Gearlds to memorize the Storm's schemes. Thorburn's style is to study the book, then re-write the plays on blank pieces of paper. Entering tonight's game, she will have had had one practice and a shootaround this morning to grasp working with her new teammates.

"All practice I was asking [Wright] questions," Thorburn said. "And Katie is my roommate for this trip, so when I didn't understand something I was like, 'What do we do?' They've all been really helpful.

"Right now, it's going to be backing up [Wright], giving her some rest time. And helping those around me do better."

Thorburn, a 5-foot-9 point guard, was selected with the No. 7 overall pick last year by Minnesota, but entered training camp with a sprained ankle. The injury hindered her contribution to the Lynx, averaging 6.5 minutes in 22 games.

She spent the offseason rehabilitating the ankle, but when she returned to training camp this spring, the Lynx had a backlog at her position, including No. 1 overall pick Lindsey Harding. Thorburn was cut May 14 and was training at her Denver home, waiting for a call.

"I don't think I fit into Coach Z's [Don Zierden] playing style, which is fine," Thorburn said. "It was a tough break for me. I got cut at a pretty bad time. Teams were not picking up people, which was rough. But I knew I'd get an opportunity."

The Storm (9-7) knew Bird was going to schedule her surgery now because the upcoming All-Star break allows time for rehabilitation without missing as many regular-season games. She's expected to be out a minimum of four games, but Donovan was hesitant to say Bird would return for the July 20 game in Connecticut, where she played college hoops.

Donovan would not say how Thorburn would be used, outside of obvious backup duties. The team will also rely on veteran guard Betty Lennox and forward Iziane Castro Marques for help running the offense.

Lennox has averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in her past five games.

"I've got to continue to do what I'm doing," Lennox said. "Now Tanisha is up and I've got to make it comfortable for them. We've all got to pull together because it's not about those two running the team. It's about everybody being on the same page."

Donovan liked what she saw from Thorburn during practice Thursday, commenting that the former Utah standout picked the offense up quickly and could be retained for the remainder of the season if she performs well.

The Storm has defeated the Comets (4-12) only once in Houston in its eight-year history. This is the fourth and final meeting of the summer, and Seattle lost 81-76 at the Toyota Center on June 28.

Izi staying

Donovan did not give Castro Marques permission to return home for the Pan American Games. A Brazilian Olympian, Castro Marques wanted to participate in at least the finals, set for July 24, in order to honor national-team guard Janeth Arcain and coach Antonio Carlos Barbosa, who are retiring.

But when Castro Marques re-signed with Seattle this offseason, she said she would not allow national-team commitments to interfere with WNBA obligations. Donovan kept her to the promise.

"It was not a good idea to leave the team at that moment," said Castro Marques of the July 17-24 Storm road trip.

Jayda Evans

Injuries: Storm — G Sue Bird (left knee) is out. Houston — F Sheryl Swoopes (lower back) is doubtful.