Lauren Jackson’s body returned from the Olympics a couple of weeks ago. Her basketball heart finally showed up Thursday night. Scoring a season-high 23 points in just 15 minutes of game action, the Storm’s three-time WNBA MVP looked more like herself in the 101-74 clobbering of the Tulsa Shock at KeyArena.
After a terrible outing in the previous game against similarly woeful Phoenix, which upset Seattle 74-68 Aug. 30, Jackson saw to it that there was no repeat against a weak team.
Leading by 13 at the half and 30 after three quarters, the Storm (12-14) cleared the bench in the fourth quarter and all 11 players scored. Rookie Shekinna Stricklen had 15 points and Sue Bird and Tina Thompson added 11 each.
Ivory Latta led Tulsa (6-21) with 18 points, while Riquna Williams scored 17 and Glory Johnson added 15 as the Shock fell to 1-12 on the road this season.
A return match between the clubs is Saturday in Tulsa, the first road game for the Storm since July 13 and the start of a four-game trip.