Sue Bird becomes WNBA’s all-time leader in assists

Going into the Seattle Storm’s Friday matchup against the Washington Mystics in the Nation’s Capital, Sue Bird stood a mere three assists shy of the all-time assists record which, at the time was held, by Ticha Penicheiro.

Dish number one found Crystal Langhorne. Dime number two went to Carolyn Swords.

So did the third.

A look at HISTORY! ? @S10Bird is the @WNBA‘s ALL-TIME assist leader. ?? pic.twitter.com/JZAZs1ZR5B

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 1, 2017

Sue,

Congratulations on becoming the all-time assist record holder. Records are meant to be… https://t.co/ZNWQzHUFSm

— Ticha Penicheiro (@TichaPenicheiro) September 1, 2017

When Bird added yet another checkmark to her already future Hall of Fame resume, play was temporarily halted at the Capital One Arena to give everyone a chance to honor and congratulate Bird for her historic achievement.

In addition to her breaking the record previously held by Penicheiro, it was also career dime number 2,600—reaching that plateau that only added another dimension to her making history.
Her career assists tally now stands at 2,610.

What makes it special is that with an assist there’s two or more people involved, so it’s something that as a point guard I know I take very seriously – and I’m sure a lot of point guards do – about getting your teammates involved and trying to get the ball in the right spots.

–Sue Bird

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The game itself concluded in an overtime defeat for the Storm as the Mystics prevailed 110-106. Elena Delle Donne finished with 37 points. Now that Bird has added to her resume as one of the WNBA’s greatest all-time players, she and her Seattle Storm can now look forward to competing in this year’s playoffs—which the Storm qualified for after recent losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream.

Congrats, @S10Bird on becoming the league’s All-Time Assists Leader. You’ve truly proven to be one of the best to ever suit up. #SeeHer pic.twitter.com/OIZJTdfEt8

— Lisa Borders (@WNBAPrez) September 1, 2017

YOU DID IT, @S10Bird! ??

Congratulations to the @WNBA‘s all-time assist leader!

// attached photo made me cry pic.twitter.com/PE72CWqFas

— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) September 1, 2017