Sue Bird's career has been something out of the ordinary.
She has won five straight Olympic golds and four World Cup golds.
In addition, she has won the EuroLeague five times, and participated in the WNBA's all-star game 13 times - the most in league history.
With her 19 seasons (all in Seattle), she is the one with the most WNBA seasons, and is also the one with the most games (580) and most assists (3,122).
Audience: "Thank you, Sue!"
But now the career is over.
She announced in June that this would be her last season, and last night it ended.
This when Las Vegas won 97–92 and secured the final place.
Afterwards, the 11,328 spectators chanted: "Thanks, Sue!".
- It feels surreal, she said after the match, according to the Seattle Times.
- Will I miss basketball?
Absolutely.
I won't have anything else like this.
I don't think I will ever be able to recreate it.
I won't even try.
But I know I made the right decision.
"Of course I'm sad"
Bird was emotional after the match, but made it clear that she is happy with what she accomplished.
- I am proud of everything we have achieved here.
I'm obviously sad, but there's also joy that I got to have a moment like this with the fans, when they chanted the way they did.
I know my tears don't look like tears of joy, but they are actually a lot of joy.
In the final, Las Vegas must face either Connecticut or Chicago.
A fifth and decisive match awaits there tomorrow.