Lauren Jackson's absence giving Storm backups valuable minutes

SAN ANTONIO — Perhaps not having Lauren Jackson is a good thing for the Storm.

Jackson is out indefinitely with two stress fractures in her lower back, and her absence has created more minutes for post-position reserves, allowing them to gain valuable experience.

The Storm is 2-3 since Jackson last played on Aug. 27. But as the team concludes the regular season tonight in San Antonio, there is hope that a key issue in last year's playoffs — a lack of inside depth — won't surface again this year.

The Storm will open the playoffs Wednesday at Los Angeles, a team with a strong inside game. Game 2 will be at 7 p.m. Friday in Seattle, and Game 3, if necessary, in Seattle at 2 p.m. Sept. 20.

There were positive signs in the Storm's overtime loss this week to Phoenix, the No. 1 team in the West. The Storm outscored the Mercury 40-34 in the paint and out-rebounded them 45-37.

"I've always told people, just about every season everybody gets their opportunity at some point," Storm coach Brian Agler said of the Storm's bench players. "It's just a matter of, 'Do you have the ability to be disciplined enough to wait on it and stay focused enough to take advantage when you get it?' Some people do and some people don't."

Flash back to Game 3 against the Sparks last postseason and the Storm's depleted post rotation without Jackson was mowed over by reigning MVP Candace Parker, legend Lisa Leslie and Olympian DeLisha Milton-Jones. Los Angeles added All-Star Tina Thompson to that mix this season.

With a more offensive-minded Janell Burse to complement Camille Little's impressive rebounding, the Storm appears stronger this season. Rookie Ashley Walker, who missed 16 games with a toe injury, also has a nose for the ball, strengthening the bench along with veterans Ashley Robinson and Suzy Batkovic-Brown.

All have said they need time on the court to get their rhythm and now they're receiving it.

Against San Antonio, in addition to playing without Jackson, the Storm will again be without forward Swin Cash (at a family funeral) and reserve Katie Gearlds (knee injury). Point guard Sue Bird (neck injury) is a game-time decision. Bird says she has continued to progress after traveling to Texas on Friday.

San Antonio features even better post competition than the Mercury with Belgian center Ann Wauters and Ruth Riley.

"Of course, it's fun to play, but the most important thing is to be productive," said guard Shannon Johnson, who would be Bird's replacement. "We've got to keep ourselves rolling, going into the playoffs."

Notes

• The Storm has signed A'Quonesia Franklin, who had been with the team in training camp. Franklin made the trip but will remain on the roster only if Bird does not play Saturday night. Franklin had been working as an administrative graduate assistant at her alma mater, Texas A&M.

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