Conference title games previews

Western Conference:

Lynx vs. Sparks preview.

LaChina Robinson and others preview the series.

Eastern Conference:

Sun vs. Fever preview.

Robinson and others preview the series.

Last night's press conferences:

Katie Douglas and Coach Lin Dunn.

Rebekkah Brunson and Seimone Augustus.

Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve.

Playoffs blog.

Other WNBA features:

Wonder why Kara Lawson has been having such a great season? She's had to play the bench for too long:

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- It is a measure of how long Kara Lawson waited for this that not only has she outlasted all but one other player selected in the first round of the 2003 draft, she outlasted four franchises that picked that day.

A decade after she entered the league, Lawson is still redefining her place in it. After too many seasons spent shoehorned into uncomfortable labels like combo guard, energy player or super sub, she is simply a point guard. Proof perhaps that good things come to those who wait, but inarguably evidence as to why good things are happening for the Connecticut Sun as they prepare to host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

She is still a role player. It's just a leading role. And even on a team with the league's new MVP, Tina Charles, it might be the most important role in the days ahead.

"When you've waited nine years for something, when you get one chance it's probably going to be your only chance," Lawson said. "If you don't hit it out of the park, you're probably not going to get another one. I knew I had to play well this year, so that's what I prepared for. Nine months, the hardest training I've ever done this offseason. I came into this year really confident and felt like I could make a huge impact for the team."

Lauren Jackson and other Storm players may have to have surgery now that their season is over.