Seattle ? Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird will need surgery on her broken nose, and her status is uncertain for Game 1 of the WNBA Western Conference finals that begin Friday.

Bird broke her nose less than three minutes into Seattle’s 64-54 victory over Minnesota on Monday.

Bird, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team at the Summer Games last month in Athens, could play before having surgery by wearing a protective mask if doctors gave their approval.

“Her spirits are good. She is one tough cookie,” coach Anne Donovan said at practice Tuesday. “I don’t think there is anything more painful than getting hit in the beak.”