Orlando - The Shock opened the 2002 WNBA Season with a 14-points loss to the Orlando Miracle thanks in part to a defensive effort that allowed Orlando to connect on 45.6 percent of its field goal attempts and hit 27-of-24 shots from the free throw line. Trailing by four at the break, the Shock scored the first two buckets of the period to tie the game, and with 12:10 remaining in the game, Detroit still trailed by just one, 54-53. The Miracle outscored the Shock 23-13 the rest of the way for the win.

Nykesha Sales and Shannon Johnson each scored 22 points for Orlando while the Shock had four players scored in double figures - Swin Cash (16), Wendy Palmer (14), Deanna Nolan (13) and Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (11).