'Thank you, Sue': Sue Bird retires as legendary career comes to close after Storm fall in WNBA semifinals

The chants were swift and boisterous. A raucous crowd that rode the roller coaster of Game 4 — and the entire semifinals series — sent off Sue Bird in legendary fashion.

"Thank you, Sue," the crowd chanted as Bird acknowledged fans from center court after the No. 1-seeded Las Vegas Aces beat her Seattle Storm 97-92 to end the Storm's season and Bird's career on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

"It's sad," Bird told ESPN's Holly Rowe in a televised postgame interview while fans cheered. "Obviously, so thankful for 20 years here. I'm gonna miss it so much. I'm not going anywhere, but I'm gonna miss it.

"I wish we could have done a little bit more to get to the Finals, but I'm so proud of this team, this year. I am so, so, so proud to be a member of the Seattle Storm. It has been my honor to play for this franchise, to play for these fans."

Bird scored eight points and dished out eight assists in her final WNBA game, right on her season averages in her 21st season in the league. She won four WNBA championships along with five Olympic gold medals, two NCAA titles and five Euroleague rings. She is simply one of the greatest to ever play in the WNBA.

How the WNBA and basketball fans honored Sue Bird