The Portland Fire's Short-Lived WNBA Journey: 10 Fascinating Facts
The WNBA's newest team, the Portland Fire, is set to debut in 2026, but the league has a rich history with a previous iteration of the same name. Here's a look back at the 2000-2002 Portland Fire, the city's last WNBA franchise, through 10 captivating facts:
Shortest-Lived Franchise: The 2000-2002 Portland Fire existed for just three seasons, matching the shortest lifespan of any WNBA franchise (excluding the Golden State Valkyries, who began in 2025).
Playoff Miss: Despite playing three seasons, the Fire never made the playoffs, finishing with a 37-59 record. Their closest call was in 2002, when they finished 16-16 and just missed the Western Conference playoffs by one game.
Washington Mystics Rivalry: The Fire had a strong rivalry with the Washington Mystics, winning 80% of their five meetings. A highlight was a 75-58 victory on July 9, 2000, where Sophia Witherspoon scored 26 points.
Leading Scorer: Sylvia Crawley, the Fire's all-time leading scorer with 935 points, played for the team before becoming a coach. She spent one year with the San Antonio Silver Stars after the team folded and was an assistant coach for North Carolina from 2000-2002.
Small Roster: Only 20 players suited up for the Fire during their three-year existence. Five players, including Crawley, Stacey Thomas, Tully Bevilaqua, Alisa Burras, and DeMya Walker, remained with the team for all three seasons.
WNBA Collective Bargaining: The WNBA and players' union faced challenges in reaching a new CBA, causing further delays for the Portland Fire's launch.
Three-Point Shooting: Jackie Stiles, a standout player for the Fire, became one of the WNBA's top three-point shooters. She played in Portland for the 2001 and 2002 seasons, making 40.6% of her three-pointers and averaging 11.4 points per game.
Oregon Connection: Jenny Mowe, one of the Fire's players, has ties to Oregon. She played high school basketball at Oregon's Powers High School and college basketball for the Oregon Ducks before joining the Fire in 2001 and 2002.
Seattle Rivalry: The rivalry between the Fire and the Seattle Storm, both introduced to the WNBA in 2000, intensified over three years, with the Fire holding a 5-4 series lead.
Lopsided Victory: Despite a 10-22 record in 2000, the Fire's worst year, they achieved their most lopsided victory on July 30, 2000, beating the Orlando Miracle 76-55 with 14 steals and Sophia Witherspoon scoring 27 points.
These facts showcase the ups and downs of the 2000-2002 Portland Fire, leaving a lasting impact on the WNBA despite their short lifespan.
