By Christan Braswell, edited by Charles Hamaker

Minneapolis, MN - Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn was cognizant of the early season ramifications entering a road matchup with the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday night.

“We’re very well aware that these games are measuring sticks, starting with Phoenix,” Quinn said. “They’re a tough team who beat Vegas. So, coming into Vegas we understand it’s a tough environment so it will indicate where we are. We know we aren’t where we want to be quite yet, but we’re trending in the right direction. Going up against the defending champs will tell us a lot about ourselves.”

The result said the Storm (7-3) are right where they’re supposed to be for a team that paired first-ballot Hall of Famers Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike with All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor in pursuit of a WNBA championship. Despite being tied for the second-best record in the WNBA, Seattle lacked a true challenge entering Friday night as their six wins were against .500 or under teams. Unsurprisingly, the “Core 4” led the way in defeating Las Vegas, 78-65.

“We’ve definitely had epic games with Vegas,” Loyd said. “We understand who they are and what they’ve been able to do the last couple of years. For us, we’re stacking our days, we’re stacking our games and we’re building on what we’re trying to do and get back in the conversation. So for us, playing them is important to see where we’re at, but also know that we’re right where we’re supposed to be.”

Loyd led the team with 25 points and nine rebounds. After scoring two points in the first half, Diggins-Smith exploded for 19 in the last 20 minutes of play, leading the team with 11 in the final frame as they outscored Las Vegas 24-14.

Magbegor added 14 points and 15 rebounds for her third double-double on the season and 16th of her career. She also had five assists, two steals, and three blocks. Magbegor has notched three-plus blocks in six consecutive games, tied for the fourth-longest streak in WNBA history.

“She’s everywhere, just the ultimate helper,” said Diggins-Smith after the Mercury victory. “Defensively, to start the year is the top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Her ability to guard the perimeter, to switch, she was everybody tonight.”

Ogwumike finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in her return from a one-game absence due to an eye injury. Seattle improved to 2-0 in Commissioner’s Cup play, good for first in the Western Conference. Las Vegas fell to 1-1.

Before the game, Quinn fielded one question after another on the potency of Las Vegas’ offense.

“They have to guard us too, she said. “Offensively, making sure we’re aggressive, but also moving the ball and making sure they’re defending longer in the shot clock rather than taking quick shots.”

Touting 19 assists on 26 made shots, ball movement, and execution in the halfcourt gave way to the Storm’s first win over the Aces. Notching 16 points off 14 turnovers certainly helps matters. A defensive unit that can switch regardless of position and do it at a high level is a key ingredient for a championship contender. Not to forget five-tool athletes in guard Sami Whitcomb and forward Jordan Horston amplifying that intensity off the bench for nearly 20 minutes a game each and others contributing in the same fashion.

"It means that we can compete at a high level with one of the best teams in this league, she continued. "It means that in a hostile environment, we can find composure and find ways to execute. It means that this team is growing up.”

Seattle has an oppourtunity to gain a game on the Mercury in the Commissioner Cup standings and stamp their case as the best team in the Western Conference by going 3-0 by beating three of most talented teams in the league.

Next up for Quinn’s group is a rematch with the Minnesota Lynx. After back-to-back losses to Minnesota to start the season, Seattle has gone 7-1. In the last eight games, Seattle leads the league in net rating (13.8). Needless to say, this is a different team in every way.

It all starts at the top with Diggins-Smith at the point. During the streak, she’s averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 assists. Aside from her offensive production, she has been a nightmare for opposing guards at the point of attack, either shutting down drives in the passing lane or funneling them to Ogwumike and Magbegor in the post.

Minnesota won three of their last four games and five of their last seven. Forward Napheesa Collier is making her case for Most Valuable Player once again this season as she’s one of three players who’s top five in points and rebounds per game.

Guard Kayla McBride is producing at a career-high level, averaging 16.6 points and leading the league in three-point percentage (48.6). Veteran guards Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman have instilled a much needed authoritative voice at the point guard position, regardless of which is in the game.

The Lynx have a bevy of 6-foot-2 forwards who can all space the floor effectively by knocking down the three-pointer. Alanna Smith and Cecelia Vandalasini are shooting 46.4 and 44 percent, respectively. Bridget Carleton is at a respectable 35 percent.

There are several keys for the Storm to extend their win streak to seven games, yet none are more important than defending the three-point line. In the first matchup, it was Smith who showed out, going three for five from deep. McBride led the way in the second game that went into double-overtime, posting a 4-for-9 clip. Smith was 2-2.

Every Lynx player except for Hiedeman made at least one three-pointer. Not only does having an assortment of efficient shooters lift an offense, it opens the driving lanes for players like Williams and Hiedeman.

Despite the potency of Minnesota’s post players, they lack height and size when defending the rim, which plays into Seattle’s favor. The Lynx allow the fourth-most points in the paint while Quinn’s group is second in the league at 40 per game. They average 22 points in the first quarter with half of them (11.2) scored in the paint.

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