The Portland Fire: A Brief Journey Through Numbers from 2000 to 2002
What if I told you that the Portland Fire, a once-prominent WNBA team, had a story filled with both promise and challenges? As we prepare for the return of this franchise in 2026, it’s essential to look back at its previous tenure to understand its impact on women’s basketball in Oregon. Here are ten intriguing facts about the Portland Fire, highlighting their legacy as the last WNBA team from the city.
Franchise Lifespan: The original Portland Fire graced the WNBA courts for just three seasons—2000, 2001, and 2002. This brief existence places them alongside the Miami Sol as the shortest-lived franchises in league history, aside from the Golden State Valkyries, who made their debut in 2025.
Record Overview: Over their short run, the Fire struggled to find success, finishing with a record of 37 wins and 59 losses. Their best performance came in 2002 when they achieved a .500 record of 16-16, landing them fifth in the Western Conference—a mere game away from making the playoffs, trailing Seattle for that final postseason spot.
See AlsoThe Phoenix Mercury's 2005 Season: Avoiding Overtime and Building for the FutureSkylar Diggins Stuns in Sky-High Slit Gown at 2026 Golden Globes | WNBA Fashion HighlightsFormer WNBA Star Kiana Williams Joins Unrivaled's Developmental Pool | 3-on-3 Basketball NewsUnrivaled: Breeze vs. Hive - Expert Prediction and Pick for 1/9/26Rivalry with the Mystics: Despite their overall performance, there was one team that consistently faltered against the Fire: the Washington Mystics. Portland managed to secure four victories out of five matchups against them, showcasing their competitive spirit. One highlight was a robust 75-58 win on July 9, 2000, where standout player Sophia Witherspoon scored an impressive 26 points.
All-Time Scoring Leader: Sylvia Crawley holds the title of the Fire's all-time leading scorer, amassing a total of 935 points during her time with the team. After the franchise disbanded, she continued her career briefly with the San Antonio Silver Stars before transitioning to coaching. Notably, Crawley also served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina, concurrently with her playing days on the Fire.
Player Roster: Throughout its existence, only 20 athletes donned the Fire uniform. Remarkably, five players stayed for all three seasons: Alisa Burras, Sylvia Crawley, Stacey Thomas, Tully Bevilaqua, and DeMya Walker, each contributing significantly to the team's identity and performance.
Jackie Stiles' Impact: Among those players, Jackie Stiles emerged as a notable talent, known for her sharp shooting skills. During her tenure in 2001 and 2002, she made an impressive 40.6% of her three-point attempts, averaging 11.4 points per game. Her shooting prowess still places her as No. 12 in the WNBA’s all-time three-point percentage rankings.
Connection to Oregon: Of all the players who played for the Fire, Jenny Mowe has perhaps the strongest ties to Oregon. Originally from Mission Viejo, California, she spent her high school years at Powers High School in Oregon and led her team to a state championship. After her time with the Fire in 2001 and 2002, she briefly joined the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Rivalry Resurfaces: With the revival of the Portland Fire, fans eagerly anticipate reigniting the rivalry with the Seattle Storm. These two cities have a rich history across various sports, including the famous matchups between the Trail Blazers and the former Seattle SuperSonics, as well as the Thorns and Reign in women’s soccer. Interestingly, the Fire hold a narrow 5-4 lead over the Storm in their overall series meetings.
Memorable Moments: The year 2000 marked the Fire’s most challenging season, yet it also produced their largest margin of victory. On July 30, they triumphed over the Orlando Miracle with a score of 76-55, showcasing their defensive capabilities with 14 steals and another stellar performance from Witherspoon, who netted 27 points.
Long Careers: Among the Fire's players, two managed to extend their careers into the late 2000s. DeMya Walker played until 2012 with several teams, including the Sacramento Monarchs and the Connecticut Sun, while Tully Bevilaqua also continued competing until 2012 with teams like the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever. Notably, Portland Fire assistant coach Sylvia Fowles, then with the Chicago Sky, faced off against both Walker and Bevilaqua multiple times throughout her career.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the Portland Fire may not have reached the heights of some other franchises, their legacy remains significant in the landscape of women’s sports in Oregon. What do you think about the revival of the Portland Fire? Is it a chance to rewrite history, or are we simply revisiting past mistakes? Share your thoughts!
