Storm brings in former Lynx to help at guard

The Storm (9-7) knew Bird was going to schedule her surgery now because the upcoming All-Star break allows time for rehabilitation without missing as many regular-season games. She's expected to be out a minimum of four games, but Donovan was hesitant to say Bird would return for the July 20 game in Connecticut, where she played college hoops. Donovan would not say how Thorburn would be used, outside of obvious backup duties.

The team will also rely on veteran guard Betty Lennox and forward Iziane Castro Marques for help running the offense. Lennox has averaged 14.8 points, 7.

0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in her past five games. "I've got to continue to do what I'm doing," Lennox said.

"Now Tanisha is up and I've got to make it comfortable for them. We've all got to pull together because it's not about those two running the team. It's about everybody being on the same page.

" Donovan liked what she saw from Thorburn during practice Thursday, commenting that the former Utah standout picked the offense up quickly and could be retained for the remainder of the season if she performs well. The Storm has defeated the Comets (4-12) only once in Houston in its eight-year history. This is the fourth and final meeting of the summer, and Seattle lost 81-76 at the Toyota Center on June 28.

Donovan did not give Castro Marques permission to return home for the Pan American Games. A Brazilian Olympian, Castro Marques wanted to participate in at least the finals, set for July 24, in order to honor national-team guard Janeth Arcain and coach Antonio Carlos Barbosa, who are retiring. But when Castro Marques re-signed with Seattle this offseason, she said she would not allow national-team commitments to interfere with WNBA obligations.

Donovan kept her to the promise. "It was not a good idea to leave the team at that moment," said Castro Marques of the July 17-24 Storm road trip. The Storm (9-7) knew Bird was going to schedule her surgery now because the upcoming All-Star break allows time for rehabilitation without missing as many regular-season games.