Nick Wass/Associated Press Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart holds and poses with the trophy with her teammates after Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Washington Mystics, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. The Storm won 98-82 and the title. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart fretted following the regular-season opener after the Seattle Storm lost at home to the Phoenix Mercury.

“We thought, ‘Oh, crap, what kind of year is this going to be?’” Bird reminisced.

The answer came nearly four months later with a championship.

Stewart led the Storm to their third WNBA title Wednesday night, scoring 30 points in a 98-82 victory over the Washington Mystics in Game 3 of the best-of-five series.

Natasha Howard added career-high 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Storm. Seattle won 26 games during the regular season — 11 more than the 2017 campaign — entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, and swept the finals.

Stewart was the league MVP and was selected the Finals MVP after averaging 25.6 points in the three games. She scored 17 points in the first half as the Storm raced to a 47-30 lead.

“Stewie was just amazing,” Storm coach Dan Hughes said. “She truly was the MVP of this league. She truly was the MVP of these Finals. God blessed me with an opportunity to coach her and I will be forever grateful.”

Bird, also a member of a Seattle’s championship teams in 2004 and 2010, was certainly appreciative of the title — and the growth of the Storm’s younger players. Seattle landed Jewell Loyd and Stewart, both All-Stars in 2018 with Bird, with the No. 1 overall picks in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

“Each (championship) is special in its own way, but this one is probably going to have a different meaning for me,” said the 37-year-old point guard who had 10 points and 10 assists. “There is probably no comparison to be honest. I didn’t know if I’d be playing at this point. Our team went through a rebuild and yes, I decided to stay. Once we got Stewie and Jewell, we knew we’d get to the other side, but how do you know you’re going to get to the other side this fast?”

The coach sensed something brewing early in his first year with the franchise. Following the Phoenix loss, Seattle won five in a row.

“I think this was our year,” Hughes said. “All year you could just see the escalation.”

Elena Delle Donne scored 23 points for the Mystics. Kristi Toliver had 22 points.

“Obviously, this finals didn’t go the way we wanted it. The great thing is we can still improve. We don’t feel like we peaked and this is it for us,” Delle Donne said.

Washington reached the Finals for the first time in franchise history.

“There’s been a huge transformation with the culture of this team,” said Delle Donne, who was acquired by Washington before the 2017 season. “Last year we were brand new. I didn’t know (Toliver’s’ favorite) beer. That’s a pretty important thing to know about Panda. Now I can go to the bar and order her everything she needs.

Toliver, seated next to the first-team All-WNBA player, chimed in. “I’m going to need a lot tonight.”

Alysha Clark had 15 points for Seattle.

Washington battled Seattle and history. Since the league went to a best-of-five format in 2005, four teams trailed 0-2. Each lost Game 3. The Mystics joined that unwanted club. Poor perimeter shooting contributed. Washington finished 8 of 23 on 3-pointers in Game 3 and 11 for 60 (18.3) in the series.

Despite the misfires, Washington rallied from down 18 points to trailing 72-67 with 6:49 remaining. Starting with a Stewart 3-point play, Seattle countered with eight consecutive points and pulled away.

“We were up at halftime, but we knew D.C. was going to come back,” Stewart said. “It was how we countered that when things got close. That’s what really separated us again.”

This is likely just the beginning for the dynamic 24-year-old forward, who won the NCAA Championship during each of her four seasons at the University of Connecticut.

“It didn’t feel like my first WNBA finals closeout game,” the poised Stewart said.

Bird understands her career is nearing the end, even though she remains among the league’s best. One of the league’s most decorated players also grasps the impact of her latest triumph.

“This is probably going to be one of the most defining moments of my career,” Bird said.</s>Seattle Storm win third WNBA title, beating Washington Mystics 98-82 in Game 3 to sweep series

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Seattle Storm win third WNBA title, beating Washington Mystics 98-82 in Game 3 to sweep series.</s>FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Seattle Storm win third WNBA title, beating Washington Mystics 98-82 in Game 3 to sweep series.</s>WOW!!! The Seattle Storm swept the Washington Mystics to win the 2018 WNBA Champsionship! Congratulations to these AMAZING ladies on a fantastic series!</s>The Seattle Storm cruised to a 2-0 lead over the Washington Mystics in the WNBA Finals, beating the Mystics by double-digits in the first two games.

Wednesday’s Game 3, while not at Key Arena in Seattle, was no different.

The Storm rolled past the Mystics 98-82 on Wednesday night at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, to complete the series sweep and win their third WNBA title.

“It doesn’t feel real yet, honestly,” WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart said after the game. “I think that what we did as a team for these past four months, we had a goal and that was to win a championship.

“Every one of us, one through 12, the coaching staff … helped us reach this point. We’re the champs!”

The Storm rolled to a 16-point lead after the first half behind dominant performances from Stewart and center Natasha Howard. Howard finished the first half with 17 points and eight rebounds, shooting 5-of-6 from the field. Stewart dropped 17 points in the first half, too, going a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc.

The Mystics, on the other hand, didn’t have a single player score in double figures, and only had two points off the bench.

Washington did mount a 6-0 run late in the third quarter, and capitalized on a technical foul on Seattle coach Dan Hughes, to cut the lead to 10 points. Yet less than a minute later, the Storm had the lead back to 15 points, completely shutting the Mystics down.

Washington had one last push in the fourth quarter, cutting Seattle’s lead to just five points with less than seven minutes left in the game behind a huge 3-point bucket from Tierra Ruffin-Pratt.

Yet the Storm answered with a quick 8-0 run behind a Stewart and-one and a big Sami Whitcomb 3-pointer put the game right back in Seattle’s control. From there, it was smooth sailing to the 16-point win.

The win for the Storm marks their first WNBA championship since 2010, and the first WNBA title for Hughes.

“I’m still trying to find the right words, and I’m a guy that can usually find the right words,” Hughes said after the game. “But this is a very special moment that I’m a part of this special group, and I think I’m just realizing how special they really were. I’m going to tell you what, they were special in November, January, and when we started April 29th, and they’re special tonight.”

Things didn’t slow down for Stewart and Howard after their big first half.

Stewart led the Storm on Wednesday night, finishing the game with 30 points — shooting 11-of-22 from the field — and eight rebounds. Howard was right behind her, dropping a double-double 29 points and 14 rebounds in the win, shooting 11-of-14 from the field. Their combined 59 points alone accounted for more than 61 percent of the Storms’ points.

Alysha Clark finished with 15 points and nine rebounds for the Storm, and veteran Sue Bird finished with 10 points and 10 assists.

Mystics star and former league MVP Elena Delle Donne led Washington with 23 points, shooting 9-of-18 from the field. Point guard Kristi Toliver was right behind her, adding 22 points.

Stewart was unanimously selected to the All-WNBA First Team on Wednesday, the league announced at halftime of the game, the only player in the WNBA to be named on all 39 ballots.

Stewart, who was named the WNBA MVP earlier this season, ranked second in the WNBA in scoring, averaging 21.8 points per game, and was third in rebounding with 8.4 rebounds per game.

The 24-year-old was also named the WNBA Finals MVP on Wednesday following her 30-point performance. She became just the sixth player in league history to win the regular-season and Finals MVP award in the same year.

Delle Donne was also named to the All-WNBA First Team on Wednesday. The pair are joined by Liz Cambage of the Dallas Wings, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury and Tiffany Hayes of the Atlanta Dream to round out the team.

More from Yahoo Sports:
• Dez apparently caught using burner account
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• Boxing legend considering White House run</s>The thrill of the Seattle Storm’s latest triumph wasn’t lost on their professional and civic brethren.

A host of basketball and Seattle sports stars hailed the Storm on Wednesday night following their championship-clinching win over the Washington Mystics in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Many of them reserved special praise for Breanna Stewart, the WNBA and WNBA Finals MVP.

Future Basketball Hall of Famers, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade led the chorus of NBA players.

I’m calling it now!!!! @breannastewart will end up being one of the best to play ever play in the #wnba . You watch👀. She got game!!!

The Storm’s championship sparked an outpouring of civic pride from the likes of Seattle natives Isaiah Thomas and Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics legend, who ended his Tweet with a joyful proclamation: #WeRepS3attle.

Some of Seattle’s other professional sports teams also were cheering on the Storm.

As did many of the players who represent those teams, such as Seahawks stars Earl Thomas, Russell Wilson and Frank Clark.

The 2018 WNBA title was the third in the Storm’s history and first in Stewart’s career. The love Seattle is showing them undoubtedly will make them hungry for more.</s>The Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics, 98-82, in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday at EagleBank Arena. Seattle wins the best-of-five series, 3-0.

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, holding trophy, and other pose with the trophy after Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Washington Mystics, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. The Storm won 98-82.

Members of the Seattle Storm pose with the trophy after defeating the Washington Mystics 98-82 to win the WNBA Finals at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) goes to the basket as she was fouled by Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the second half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. Also seen is Storm guard Sami Whitcomb (33). The Storm won 98-82 and the title.

Head coach Dan Hughes of the Seattle Storm carries the trophy into the locker room after defeating the Washington Mystics to win the WNBA Finals at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Members of the Seattle Storm celebrate and take photos with the championship trophy on the court after winning Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 18 2018, in Fairfax, Va. The Seattle Storm defeated the Washington Mystics 98-82.

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart poses with the finals mvp trophy and the WNBA championship trophy after Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Washington Mystics, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. The Storm won 98-82 and the title.

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart, right center, celebrates and hugs guard Sue Bird (10) after Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals as members of the Washington Mystics walk by, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. The Storm won 98-82.

Jordin Canada #21 and members of the Seattle Storm celebrate after winning the WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Washington Mystics forward Tianna Hawkins (21) battles for the ball against Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. Also seen is Mystics guard Kristi Toliver, right.

Natasha Howard #6 of the Seattle Storm puts up a shot in front of Ariel Atkins #7 of the Washington Mystics in the first half during game three of the WNBA Finals at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) battles for the ball against Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va. Also seen is Storm forward Natasha Howard (6).

Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm and LaToya Sanders #30 of the Washington Mystics go for a loose ball in the first half during game three of the WNBA Finals at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins (7) drives to the basket as teammate Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) is left and Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 18 2018, in Fairfax, Va.

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, back left, Jewell Loyd, center, and Breanna Stewart (30) react during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Washington Mystics, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Fairfax, Va.

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) drives to the basket as Seattle Storm forward Natasha Howard (6) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Sept. 18 2018, in Fairfax, Va.

Sue Bird #10 and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm celebrate a three pointer against the Washington Mystics in the first half during game three of the WNBA Finals at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia.</s>The Storm is back! Seattle swept the Washington Mystics in three games to claim the 2018 WNBA title. Because the deciding Game 3 took place on the road, Seattle took to social media to rejoice and congratulate the Storm.

The Storm captured Seattle’s attention with a scintillating WNBA semifinals series against the Phoenix Mercury that culminated in a Game 5 that was an instant classic.

Then, they stormed through the WNBA Finals series, and left nothing to chance, sweeping the Washington Mystics 98-82 in Game 3 on Wednesday night to bring the WNBA title back to Seattle for the first 10 since 2010.

Needless to say, the city rejoiced. On Wednesday night, as the enormity of the Storm’s accomplishment sunk in, everyone, it seemed, from sports teams to local celebrities, took to social media to congratulate the Storm.

Here’s a look at some of those congratulatory messages, most of which bore the hashtag #WeRepSeattle.</s>Sue Bird, the only holdover from the Seattle Storm's two previous championship seasons, can best put into perspective her team's sweep of the Washington Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Finals, capped by Wednesday's clinching 98-82 victory.

“It’s incredible to be sitting here right now,” the 17-year veteran said (via the Seattle Times). “This is probably going to be one of the defining moments of my career. To have played however many years I’ve been playing, to have won in all these places, but then to do it at the end in such a way that was different from all the others, it’s really incredible.”

Bird, 37, finished with 10 points and 10 assists to bolster Finals and league MVP Breanna Stewart, who saved her best for last: 30 points – a career-high for the playoffs – on 11-of-22 shooting, including four 3-pointers on five attempts.

The Storm became the sixth team to sweep a Finals in three games – something the team did in 2010. Seattle's other title came in 2004.

But this one felt much different.

A young Seattle team that lost in the first round the past two years and won just 15 games last season, obliterated the Mystics.

“Way at the beginning, I said at the start, I was tired of losing,” Stewart said. “So to end it this way, there’s nothing better. Best feeling in the world.”

If there was a surprise, it was Natasha Howard, who was the unexpected star of Game 3. She finished with 29 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Storm outscored the Mystics 26-14 in the second quarter to extend their lead to 46-30 at halftime and never looked back.

“Before the year, nobody picked us to win a title and I’m not sure if we were even thinking about that,” said Alysha Clark, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. “But we got better throughout the year. And to see it end like this, it’s a dream. It really is. It all feels so surreal. I can’t believe it.”

Elena Delle Donne scored 23 points for the Mystics. Kristi Toliver had 22 points.</s>The WNBA Finals are underway, and the league's popularity has increased. But SB Nation's Tamryn Spruill says the WNBA and its players are still trying to win something more than games — respect.
In the WNBA Finals, the Seattle Storm win the WNBA championship with a 98-92 win over the Washington Mystics.