U.S. women's Olympic basketball team guard Sue Bird grabs the ball during practice Saturday, July 14, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON - United States women's basketball point guard Sue Bird did not play in the U.S. exhibition game against Brazil on Monday night because of a death in the family.
Bird, who will be playing in her third Olympics at the London Games, practiced with the team this weekend, but left Sunday be with her family. USA Basketball officials did not say when Bird would be rejoining the team.
Lindsay Whalen replaced Bird in the starting lineup, joining Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings and Sylvia Fowles.
