Burke, Canada win inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with Seattle Storm

The pair of former Bruins shot a combined 3-of-13 in the midseason championship, but helped their team win in other ways

In the first-ever WNBA Commissioner's Cup, two Bruin alumni took the court with a chance to add to the team’s growing trophy case.

Jordin Canada and Kennedy Burke came off of the bench for the Seattle Storm on Thursday night as they bested the Connecticut Sun 79-57 in the inaugural midseason championship. Neither former UCLA women’s basketball guard had a successful game shooting the ball, but their efforts on the court helped secure a win in the first edition of this mid-season event. 

Burke and Canada shot a combined 3-of-13 from the field, staying in the background of their teammate Breanna Stewart, who took the game’s MVP honors with 17 points.

Canada played the second most minutes on Seattle in the game, behind only Stewart, and while she also put up the second-most assists with four, she recorded a season-worst six turnovers. Burke was one of only a few Storm players to boast a negative plus-minus, and her only notable stats were two points and a block.

Another former Bruin, Noelle Quinn, is also the head coach for Seattle.

The Commissioner's Cup was created as an opportunity for the WNBA to honor the “East vs. West” history of the league. WNBA teams played 10 designated Commissioner’s Cup conference games and the two teams with the best records from each conference would compete for the Cup.

The bonuses players receive from playing in the Commissioner's Cup are part of the structure as well, with both Canada and Burke accruing $30K for winning the championship game.

The Storm currently sit at the top of the Western Conference with a 16-5 record as the team heads into the rest of their regular season, which has 11 games remaining.

Canada has been one of the Storm’s vital role players this season. She is one of three players to play in all 21 games so far. Off the bench, the guard plays 17.1 minutes a night, averaging 5.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.7 steals per game.

Burke is playing in a more limited role, but still is making an impact. After signing with the Storm this past offseason following a stint with the Indiana Fever, the guard is averaging 3.1 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field.

Seattle will look to continue their competitive streak as Burke, Canada and Quinn will try to help the team repeat as WNBA champions and win its third title in four years since drafting Canada.

Canada and Burke will get back on the court Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Chicago Sky. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.

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