Sue Bird passes Ticha Penicheiro to become WNBA's all-time assist leader

WASHINGTON -- Sue Bird broke the WNBA's all-time assist record Friday night, passing Ticha Penicheiro with her 2,600th career assist.

Bird moved ahead of Penicheiro in the first quarter on a pass to Carolyn Swords who was cutting through the lane for the basket. It was the Seattle Storm guard's third assist of the game. After she broke the mark, the game was stopped and Bird was given the ball and received a nice ovation from the Washington Mystics fans.

The Mystics won the game in overtime, 110-106. Bird finished with season-high 13 assists on the night, giving her a career total of 2,610. Bird also had 19 points for her 23rd career double-double.

Penicheiro offered her congratulations to Bird in an Instagram post.

Sue, Congratulations on becoming the all-time assist record holder. Records are meant to be broken and if somebody is going to take your "crown", you want it to be somebody like you. You do it with class, charisma, passion, humility, efficiency, professionalism and creativity...always leading your team and your teammates!! You have done so much for the game, not just here with the WNBA, in the US, but all over the world! Continue to be an example of how to play the game the right way and continue to inspire people around the world to play basketball. I will continue to cheer every dime you throw...because I am - and will always be - a fan!!! 2️⃣1️⃣🥈➡️1️⃣0️⃣🥇👑😁 Ticha Penicheiro

A post shared by Ticha Penicheiro (@tichapenicheiro) on Sep 1, 2017 at 4:32pm PDT

She accomplished the feat in 477 career games. Bird is averaging 6.4 assists per game this season, third-best in the league behind Courtney Vandersloot and Layshia Clarendon.

Bird has played her entire 16-year career with the Seattle Storm after getting drafted by the team in 2002 with the No. 1 pick. Her first assist came on May 30, 2002, when she dished to Adia Barnes for a 3-pointer.

Bird, 36, is a 10-time All Star and has won four Olympic gold medals, two WNBA titles and two national championships at UConn.