Seattle Storm at New York Liberty

Stewart, Bird return; Storm beat Liberty in Ionescu's debut

The 2020 WNBA season, delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, will be played in a bubble at the IMG Academy.

Stewart missed all of last season after tearing her Achilles tendon while playing for her Russian club team in April2019.

Sabrina Ionescu had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists in her WNBA debut. Ionescu, the No. 1 pick in April's draft , was 4-of-17 shooting, including 0 of 8 from 3-point range, and committed four turnovers.

Layshia Clarendon led the Liberty with 20 points.

Neither team took the court for the national anthem and there was a 26 second moment of silence for Breonna Taylor. Taylor, an African American emergency medical technician, was shot dead in her apartment by Louisville Metro Police officers executing a no-knock search warrant on suspicion of drug possession. No drugs were found.

Loyd hit a 3-pointer and then converted a three-point play before Stewart made a layup to make it 34-26 and the Storm led the rest of the way.

Jordin Canada scored six points during a 14-4 run to open the fourth quarter that gave the Storm their largest lead when she found Stewart for a 3-pointer that capped the spurt and made it 80-61 with 4:44 to play.

New York's Kia Nurse left the game early in the second quarter because of an ankle injury and did not return.

Regular Season Series

SEA wins series 2-0