Get ready for a thrilling comeback! The Portland-Seattle basketball rivalry is back in the WNBA, and it's a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Return of a Storied Rivalry
After an 18-year hiatus, the Portland Fire is making its grand return to the WNBA in 2026, and with it, a legendary rivalry reignites. You see, the SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City left a void in the basketball scene, but the rivalry between these two cities has been kept alive on the soccer pitch. However, in 2026, the Portland Fire and Seattle Storm will face off once more, bringing back memories and creating new ones.
A Look Back at History
The first chapter of this rivalry began on June 3, 2000, when the Portland Fire pulled off a comeback against the Seattle Storm. Sylvia Crawley, a key player for the Fire, led the team with 18 points and some crucial blocks. The Fire's bench, including Tara Williams, provided a spark with 10 points, helping them secure the win and improve their record to 1-1.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Storm, led by Edna Campbell's 18 points, struggled with their shooting, giving the Fire an edge. This set the tone for a series of intense battles between these two teams.
As the 2000 WNBA season progressed, both teams faced challenges, but the Fire managed to take a 2-0 series lead. The Storm's shooting woes continued, and the Fire's Crawley dominated with a double-double. However, it was on August 6, 2000, that the series took an unexpected turn, with Seattle's Sonja Henning sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Storm pulled ahead, and the Fire couldn't catch up. Vanessa Nygaard and Sophia Witherspoon kept the Fire in the game, but it wasn't enough. This was the only overtime game in the series, making it a memorable moment.
The rivalry continued into 2001, with the Fire and Storm trading wins. In their first meeting of the year, the Fire pulled ahead in the second half, thanks to Tully Bevilaqua's 12 points. The Storm struggled with their shooting, giving the Fire an opportunity to shine.
But the Storm fought back on July 4, 2001, with Jackie Stiles finally finding her groove, scoring 18 points. The Fire struggled with their shooting, and the Storm took advantage, securing the win.
And this is the part most people miss... The final matchup of the 2001 season saw the Fire move up to an even 10-10 record. Despite turnovers, Sophia Witherspoon had a career night, scoring 21 points and hitting five 3-pointers. The Storm couldn't keep up with the Fire's shooting, and the series remained tight.
In 2002, the Storm started strong, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Sue Bird, a future Hall of Famer, led the way with 14 points and five assists. The Fire struggled to find their rhythm, and the Storm took the win.
But the Fire weren't done yet. Just nine days later, they bounced back with a win, thanks to Ukari Figgs' 16 points and a strong performance from Crawley. Bird once again led the Storm, but their shooting percentage wasn't enough to stop the Fire.
The final game of the series saw the Storm dominate the boards, with Bird putting up a monstrous 33 points. The Fire fought hard, with Jackie Stiles scoring 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Storm's advantage.
The Roots of Rivalry
This rivalry runs deep, and it began even before the WNBA. The Portland Power and Seattle Reign faced off in the American Basketball League in the late 1990s. These games laid the foundation for the intense rivalry we saw in the WNBA.
"They were awesome," said Lin Dunn, a former coach for both teams. "The natural rivalry between the Power and the Reign carried over to the WNBA, and it was incredible."
