Originally published Friday, August 28, 2009 at 7:20 PM

Storm feels Lauren Jackson's pain

The two-time WNBA MVP hopes to get treatment on her aching back that allows her to continue playing

Seattle Times staff reporter

Today

Atlanta @ Seattle, 7 p.m., 1150 AM

It's not a conversation Storm forward Lauren Jackson likes.

But media and teammates still pry, curious about the well-being of the two-time WNBA MVP.

For two weeks she's dealt with a "jarred back," preventing her from practicing and sending her to multiple doctors' appointments and chiropractor sessions to alleviate the pain.

Jackson was to have a bone scan of the area on Friday and hoped to receive treatment that would allow her to play pain-free at least momentarily.

Storm coach Brian Agler said Jackson, the team's leading scorer (19.2 points per game), is day-to-day heading into tonight's game against Atlanta (15-13).

"It's one of those nagging things that's bothersome," Jackson said of the injury.

Seattle (17-11) clinched its sixth consecutive playoff berth on Thursday and wants to finish high in the Western Conference to secure a home-court advantage for at least the opening round. The Storm is second in the conference, two games behind Phoenix (19-9). Seattle has six games remaining, four on the road.

Because the Storm could still win the conference, Jackson doesn't want to rest.

"Going into the playoffs, we need to win as many games as we can and we need to keep jelling," said Jackson, whose team has won a season-high four straight.

Teammate Swin Cash knows what Jackson is going through. Cash had outpatient back surgery in March after suffering for two years with a herniated disk. Cash had three cortisone shots last year, which allowed her to complete the season.

Jackson, speaking Friday before her scheduled doctor's appointment, said she could do the same thing.

"She hates it," Cash said of questions about Jackson's back. "She's handling it. We don't talk in detail. We just try to be positive for her. She's like I was, out there fighting through it."

Note

• The Dream, the league's worst team last season, is 7-3 in its past 10 games but could be without veteran Chamique Holdsclaw (arthroscopic surgery) tonight. All-Stars Erika de Souza and Sancho Lyttle have helped the team jump to second place in the East.

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