FAIRFAX, Va. -- Despite being a win away from securing the franchise's first championship in eight years, the Seattle Storm don't have to look back far to remember how hard it is to close out a series.
Prior to taking the court for their final practice before facing the Washington Mystics in Wednesday's Game 3 of the WNBA Finals (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET), one team was constantly referenced amongst Storm personnel, from coach Dan Hughes to regular-season MVP Breanna Stewart -- and it wasn't the Mystics.
Phoenix.
Up 2-0 against the Mercury in the WNBA semifinals, Seattle had the chance to clinch the series on the road.