WNBA legend Sue Bird retires from the game after playoff loss in Seattle

By Seán Federico-O'Murchú, CNN

Updated 0603 GMT (1403 HKT) September 7, 2022

Sue Bird reacts after the Seattle Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces 97-92 in Game 4 of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

(CNN)Legendarybasketball player Sue Bird bid farewell to the sport Tuesday night when her Seattle Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces, who advanced to the WNBA Finals.

«It's sad,»she said in an interview with ESPN after the game. «Obviously, so thankful for 20 years here. I'm going to miss it so much. I'm not going anywhere. But I'm going to miss it.»As she spoke, fans were chanting «Thank you Sue!» in the Seattle arena. Bird, 41, announced in June this season would be her last. In her final game, she finished with 8 points and 8 assists.WNBA legend Sue Bird to retire after this seasonThe Aces held off the Storm 97-92 in Game 4 in the best-of-five semifinal series with Chelsea Gray shooting a team-high 31 points along with 10 assists. Breanna Stewart led Seattle with 42 points, tying Angel McCoughtry for the most in a WNBA playoff game.Read MoreThe Aces will play either the Chicago Sky — the defending WNBA champion — or the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Finals. The Sun beat the Sky on Tuesday night to force a winner-take-all Game 5.Bird, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft, is the league's all-time assists leader and a 13-time All-Star. She played her entire career with the Storm, where she has won four championships along with five selections to the All-WNBA first team and a record 12 All-Star Game appearances.A fan holds a sign thanking Sue Bird after the Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces in SeattleBird has won championships at every level, notably a record-tying five Olympic basketball