Storm's Lauren Jackson questionable with concussion

Storm forward Lauren Jackson is questionable for Tuesday's matinee against New York because of a concussion.

Jackson, the team's leading scorer (21.4 points), was hit in the face by Los Angeles forward DeLisha Milton-Jones while attempting to grab a rebound during Saturday's 75-62 win over the Sparks. No foul was called, but Jackson had to be substituted out in order to stop the bleeding from her nose.

After the game, Jackson said that as the matchup progressed she began to feel the effects of a concussion. She previously suffered one while playing as a teenager.

Two doctors evaluated the two-time MVP following Saturday's game and diagnosed the concussion.

Coach Brian Agler wants to wait until game time before deciding whether to play Jackson on Tuesday. If she is unable to start, Le'coe Willingham would replace her.

"(Lauren's) improved a lot since Saturday," Agler said. "We'll be cautious.

"I always give thought to playing without her; we've done it so much that you always have to think about that. Especially after going a couple games without Sue (Bird), you always think about if certain things happen, how are you going to react to that?"

Bird played Saturday after missing the previous two games because of back spasms.

Jackson didn't practice on Monday but told media she was fine, not going into detail about her injury. She scored 13 points in the first quarter against the Sparks, then was limited to five points with three rebounds in the second half.

"L.A. had to make some adjustments; unfortunately, some of the adjustments that occurred ended up putting her in a bad position," Agler said. "It's tough to have to play a game when you sort of have to defend people off of you physically."

Western Conference-leading Seattle (15-2) will put its six-game win streak on the line against New York (7-8), which the Storm defeated 92-84 on June 18 in the teams' only other meeting this season.

"They're tough to guard," said Liberty star Cappie Pondexter, whose team is last in the Eastern Conference standings. "It's strange. If you look at the standings, Seattle is in a place of its own. But I think the East is more powerful than the West."

Note

• Bird has been awarded the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for June. The award is presented monthly throughout the season to the player who best reflects the league's passion for making a difference in the community. In recognition of Bird's charitable efforts, the WNBA will donate $5,000 to the charity of her choice.

Includes information

from league reports.

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