Storm playing wait-and-see with Lauren Jackson's back injury

The Storm could clinch a playoff spot tonight with a victory over Connecticut at KeyArena, but they might have to do it without Lauren Jackson.

The severity of Jackson's sore back was obvious during the Storm's victory over Washington on Tuesday. As she committed a foul in the second half, Jackson looked like a broken marionette, draped over a defender.

"She was leaning on her back," Storm guard Sue Bird said. "She couldn't get herself to come back up, so they had to call a foul. You can tell, it's definitely bothering her."

Jackson, who has been plagued with injuries, suffered what she called a "jarred back" in the second half of a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 15. She has continued to play during Seattle's three-game win streak, but her minutes have decreased from 34 against Detroit to a season-low 18 on Tuesday.

The two-time MVP had another doctor's appointment on Wednesday and was unavailable to comment. Storm coach Brian Agler said Jackson's status for tonight's game against Connecticut (14-13) could be a game-time decision.

Seattle (16-11) lost to the Sun 64-53 on the road. Connecticut is without leading scorer Asjha Jones (16.7).

"We're just trying to get her ready to play games," Agler said of Jackson, who ranks third in WNBA scoring (19.3). "How much she plays, if she plays, will probably be determined right around game time.

"It was a struggle [Tuesday]. I don't think I would be honest in saying that I'm for sure what's going to happen. As we do our prep work, we plan to have her, but we also know things can happen."

A luxury Agler has is solid, veteran post players to fill any voids. Last season, when Jackson underwent ankle surgery and missed the remainder of the season after the Olympic hiatus, an inexperienced Camille Little was the only reliable backup.

During this summer's win streak, former starter Janell Burse has posted back-to-back 14-point games. Ashley Robinson has played solid defense and Suzy Batkovic-Brown grew more comfortable in the system. She is back in the WNBA for the first time since 2005.

"I'm definitely a player that plays in a rhythm, and the longer I'm out there, the more comfortable I get," said Burse, who struggled with the rest of the reserves earlier in the season to be productive with sparse minutes. "I never have played well in spurts. The ability to be out there in the flow of the game and catch my second wind is better for me."

As secure as the Storm might feel in its bench, however, Batkovic-Brown doesn't foresee Jackson's back being a major problem on Thursday. Australians Batkovic-Brown and Jackson have been close friend since childhood. Batkovic-Brown said she has seen the effects of the injury up close.

"At the moment she's struggling," Batkovic-Brown said. "As long as the people are doing the right thing with her back and giving her treatment, I think she'll hold up. When we were on the road I gave her a massage, so you can't say that I don't help."

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