Immediate reaction: Lynx outlast Storm in double OT thriller, 102-93
Photo by Kerem Yücel | MPR News
By Christan Braswell
Minneapolis, MN - Seattle is enduring quite the storm to start the 2024 WNBA season as they look to incorporate free-agent acquisitions Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins into the team.
Suffering a season-opening loss to the Minnesota Lynx at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle left the comfort of the Pacific Northwest for a three-game road trip. The first stop was in Minneapolis for a rematch with the Lynx Friday night that saw double overtime as the Lynx outlasted the Storm, 102-93.
The two teams combined for 53 turnovers, 10 lead changes, and nine ties overall. According to Across the Timeline, 53 turnovers tied for the third-most in a WNBA game all-time.
Despite the loss, several areas of improvement showed throughout the game.
“I’m encouraged to grow from how we played tonight after evolving from the first night,” said Storm star forward Nneka Ogwumike. “I still think what we saw in the fourth quarter and what we saw in overtime can be sustained over the course of the game.”
The Lynx denied Seattle the ball in the paint to start the game, forcing the team to rush their sets and take ill-advised jumpers, shooting 7-for-17 in the first quarter. Lynx forwards Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith combined for 17 of Minnesota’s 22 first-quarter points. Collier finished with 29 points on 45.5 percent shooting, nine rebounds, and six steals.
The start of the second quarter was much of the same. A quick turnover followed by a rainbow three-pointer from Lynx forward Diamond Miller disrupted any chance Seattle had to get on track. A Sika Kone score a few possessions later gave Minnesota an 11-0 run within the first two minutes of the second frame. Seattle went cold through the first four minutes as a layup from Napheesa Collier increased the run to 14-4.
The Storm found their rhythm towards the end of the second quarter with an 11-0 run of their own, bringing the deficit under 10 before halftime.
Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith came alive in the third quarter, combining for 12 of the team’s 19 points. The trend of owning the moment continued for the Storm as they didn’t turn the ball over for the first five minutes. Still, Minnesota would not be denied as four three-pointers gave them a seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Alanna Smith (8) of the Minnesota Lynx sets up for a shot during the WNBA basketball game between the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm on Friday. (Photo by Kerem Yücel/MPR News)
Seattle opened the final frame with a 5-0 run powered by Mercedes Russell and Jordan Horston. Russell caught a pass from Sami Whitcomb for an effortless hook shot and a trip to the line for one. Horston sank a midrange jumper, bringing the score to 63-61 with 9:14 on the clock. Seattle’s offense went cold again as the Lynx engineered another 11-0 run with 5:43 left in regulation, putting them up 74-61.
On forward, the Storm led the rest of the way with a 17-4 run that sent the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, the two teams traded the lead several times until Collier hit one of two free throws to force a second overtime with 2.7 seconds left.
Simple execution from Minnesota in the second overtime and sound defense carried them into an eight-point lead and they coasted until the final buzzer sounded.
Seattle faces the Washington Mystics on Sunday, May 19th with a tipoff time of 12PM PDT that will be broadcast on 106.7 The Fan, FOX 13+ / Amazon Prime Video - Seattle, MNMT, and then round out the road trip in Brooklyn for an early season meet between championship contenders with the New York Liberty on Monday, May 20th that will be broadcast on ESPN3, FOX 13 / Amazon Prime Video - Seattle, WWOR-My9.
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