'We love you': WNBA great Sue Bird honored ahead of retirement

Women's NBA veteran and Seattle Storm loyal Sue Bird, who has 19-season experience in the league, was honored on Sunday ahead of her final season game.

"Sue Bird taking it ALL IN. In a sold out arena, Sue Bird is honored before her final regular season home game in Seattle," WNBA said on Twitter.

The Las Vegas Aces beat the Storm 89-81 in a game at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday.

Seattle point guard Bird scored nine points against the Aces.

Her team thanked the 41-year-old for her two-decade long service.

"We love you, Sue Bird. Thank you for everything you have given to Seattle and the game of basketball," the Storm tweeted.

Bird has been a Storm guard since 2002, and also played for Russia's Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow, and UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA off-seasons.

In her praise, the Storm and US national basketball body gave Bird a Tokyo 2020 Olympics ring and framed Team USA jersey.

"Seattle was rockin' today for Sue Bird last home game! I may have to make a trip up there before summer's out and get a run in!," LeBron James, a Los Angeles Lakers superstar, said on Twitter.

Bird will retire from professional basketball once the 2022 season ends.

The Storm will visit the Chicago Sky on Tuesday, take a trip to Minnesota Lynx on Friday, and will be at the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday to conclude the regular season.

Seattle have 20-13 win/loss record to come fourth in the regular season standings as the Western Conference franchise clinched their berth in the 2022 WNBA Playoffs that will start on Aug. 17.

"I've decided this will be my final year. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first #TheFinalYear @seattlestorm," Bird had earlier announced.

Bird is a four-time WNBA Champion in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020, and a 13-time WNBA All-Star.

She also won five Olympic gold medals with Team USA, the last in Tokyo 2020.