Sue Bird sets WNBA assist record in finals game

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Sue Bird set a WNBA Finals assist record in Game 1 of the series between Seattle and Las Vegas on Friday night.

Bird had her record-breaking 12th assist in the third quarter on a pass to Breanna Stewart with 7:19 left in the period. She passed the mark set by Nikki Teasley of Los Angeles in 2002 and accomplished seven other times — last by Alyssa Thomas last season.

The Storm’s veteran guard, who turns 40 in two weeks, had 10 assists in the first half — also a WNBA record.

Earlier in the day. the league announced that Bird, who is the league’s career assist leader, had the top-selling jersey this year. It was the first time in her illustrious career that she topped that list.