Storm Notebook | Yolanda Griffith still testing knee, ankle

Storm veteran Yolanda Griffith participated in noncontact drills Wednesday, but her return to games remains questionable.

Griffith, a 6-foot-3 center, has missed the team's past two games due to left knee and ankle injuries suffered in Friday's road loss to San Antonio. Griffith was driving to the basket and collided with her defender, causing the injuries.

After being examined, Griffith returned to the court and grabbed 10 rebounds. But she admitted to playing the 15 minutes in pain.

"I wanted to be there for my team," said Griffith, who has not commented about the injury since the road trip.

Griffith was fitted for a knee brace and tested it during Wednesday's session. If she can return for Friday's home game against Indiana, coach Brian Agler is uncertain whether she'll wear the brace.

"I think she was more testing it out to see how she could move with it," Agler said. "She didn't do a whole lot, but she's making good progress. [Today] she'll be very active in practice and we'll see how she gets through it."

Agler is leaning toward starting guard Tanisha Wright again if Griffith can't play. Wright has been the most effective reserve, averaging 6.5 points.

In the loss against Connecticut, the Storm bench was outscored 29-5. As a starter, Wright finished with eight points and seven rebounds, matching Griffith's season averages of 5.6 and 7.1.

Lack of rebounding was also a factor in Seattle's three consecutive losses. The Storm (7-6) averages just 8.8 offensive rebounds in losses and 11.9 in wins.

Rebounding was a focus of Agler's in practice, along with hustling loose balls, offensive execution and shot-clock awareness.

"We miss her," Storm guard Sue Bird said of Griffith. "The things she stresses — rebounding and defense — are the things that we kind of struggled with a little bit. If she isn't suited up, you've got to get in where you fit in with the rebounds and what not to make up for it."

Looking for Cash

The Storm has limited practice time because of playing a league-leading 13 games. Forward Swin Cash's first practice this month was Wednesday due to lower back flare-ups and Agler resting his veterans.

The lack of practice may have contributed to Cash shooting 27.5 percent from the field in the team's past five games, averaging 8.6 points. Cash started the season averaging 16.1 in the opening six games, helping to lead the Storm to a 5-1 record.

"I'm not happy with the way I've been playing," said Cash, averaging 12.1 points. "I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect, but no one is going to be perfect. When I miss easy shots, sometimes I carry that. It's a mind game you're playing with yourself."

In addition to practice, Cash said she's analyzed game film on her own to correct her shooting mistakes.

"Shooting is a skill, and you have to practice skills," Agler said.

Notes

• Storm center Ashley Robinson said the tendinitis in her right Achilles wasn't a problem Wednesday. She should be able to play extended minutes Friday against Indiana (6-4).

Agler expects to see more from his reserves, who the coach believes are on an upswing. Shyra Ely has played well and Katie Gearlds should start playing well.

"She did some good things," Agler said of Gearlds. "I see her confidence starting to come back a little bit, and we're going to give her some opportunity to play."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com