Storm guard Sue Bird to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee

SEATTLE — Seattle Storm star Sue Bird will be out indefinitely after she undergoes arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body in her left knee, the team announced Tuesday.

Dr. Michael Joyce is expected to perform the surgery in Connecticut. The team did not say when the surgery will take place.

Bird is expected to return to Seattle after the surgery and will begin her rehabilitation with members of Swedish Hospital and the Seattle Storm medical care teams.

"The most important thing to us is that Sue is healthy and strong. Based on her feedback and evaluation from her longtime surgeon and our medical team, it was determined the best course of action was a scope," said Storm CEO and GM Alisha Valavanis. "We have confidence this will support Sue's full recovery and we look forward to her return to the court."

Last year, Bird was selected to her record 11th WNBA All-Star Game and averaged a career-high 7.1 assists per game.

Bird also became the WNBA’s all-time leader in games played last year with 508.

"I'm super disappointed to have to miss time with the team this season. There's nothing I want more than to be on court with my teammates defending our title," said Bird. "I've been down this road before, so now I just have to focus on getting better so I can continue to represent the Storm, the city of Seattle and the 'Storm Crazies' in the future."

Bird will join Breanna Stewart as the second Storm player to undergo surgery this offseason.

Stewart tore her Achilles while playing overseas and had surgery on April 18. The team said Stewart will miss the entire season.

Both Bird and Stewart are expected to attend the Storm’s regular season opener against the Phoenix Mercury on May 25 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

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