Lauren Jackson is back home — on the practice court with Storm

It was all so normal.

After eight months of wondering, Lauren Jackson had returned to the Storm.

Jackson spent part of her offseason debating whether she'd re-sign with the team that drafted her in 2001, or try something new in Phoenix. History won, and the Australian participated in her first Seattle training-camp practice Monday.

As she scrimmaged, it was as if the past eight months never happened.

The Australian native was where she was supposed to be and the Storm was preparing for another season with a star-studded lineup that includes guard Sue Bird and forward Swin Cash.

"It feels like I didn't go through any of it," said Jackson, a two-time league MVP and the Storm's all-time leader in scoring (17.5). "Being back here is so familiar. Like I've said a billion times, it's like my second home. It's a bit quieter, actually, that's the only thing without the Sonics guys here. That's the saddest part, but it's great to be back on the floor."

Jackson missed the opening two weeks of camp to act as maid of honor for Storm center Suzy Batkovic-Brown's wedding just outside Sydney.

Batkovic-Brown was cleared to arrive late, on Sunday, the date of Seattle's home opener, in order to have a brief honeymoon.

"It was very stressful because Suzy was a stress bag," Jackson said of her duties.

With Cash still rehabilitating from outpatient back surgery in March, the Storm slowly is taking shape. There are 13 players on the roster, meaning coach Brian Agler, also the team's director of player personnel, needs to make two cuts by Friday to reach the mandatory 11-player roster limit.

Cash did not practice Monday due to an injured left knee, but Agler said he expects her to be back on the court Tuesday. Cash didn't play in the exhibition games, either.

"She's had a little swelling," Agler said. "Otherwise she's looking good, feeling good and is physically as strong as I've seen in a while."

Agler played Saturday's loss to Phoenix as he would a regular-season matchup, not using training-camp invitees A'Quonesia Franklin and Aja Praham, who spent Monday with the practice squad. They most likely will be the final cuts, clearing the final spot for rookie draft pick Ashley Walker.

Walker, a 6-foot-1 forward, scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds against the Mercury.

Managing injuries will be key this season.

Jackson, who turned 28 earlier this month, has competed in only one complete WNBA season and that was 2005, after her first ankle surgery. The 6-foot-5 power forward has been bothered by nagging shins throughout her career and had right ankle surgery in August 2008, missing the Storm postseason and eight regular-season games.

"I've been working on my strength and want to work on stuff with Brian," said Jackson, who rehabilitated while playing limited minutes for her Russian team. "Coming back from injury was difficult this year, harder than what I imagined it would be. But I wanted to prepare for this season, get mentally right. I think Russia was good for that.

"I'm just ready to go."

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