Scrappy Storm hang with Lynx, but offense stalls for too long in loss (Copy)
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Storm were unable to extend their winning streak to a season-high of three games, as they fell in a hotly contest battle to the Minnesota Lynx in the first of two games that these teams will play in three days. Having won five of their last seven games, the Storm were unable to maintain their strong form of late as Seattle played sloppy all game long on the offensive end. As a result of their struggles on that end of the court, the Storm defense was only able to do so much to contain Minnesota’s stars such as Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride.
Seattle Storm rookie forward Jordan Horston, now back in the starting lineup, continues to bring excellent energy (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Sloppy start, yet Seattle remains in the game
The Storm began this game with plenty of energy, as center Ezi Magbegor got the scoring started for her team and her general activity was big for Seattle in the first quarter. While the Storm did have positives on offense, whether it was Magbegor’s general activity or rookie Jordan Horston getting involved early, there was general chaos from Seattle that the Lynx were able to take advantage of. The Storm have struggled with taking care of the basketball in recent weeks after somewhat shoring that issue up, and Minnesota was able to capitalize on that early and for the entirety of the game. At the end of the first half, both teams had committed the same number of turnovers with eight, but the Lynx had scored seven more points off those turnovers than the Storm did.
“First, our turnovers. It’s the points that they generated off of them, it’s very difficult to be in games, stay in games and not taking efficient shots on goal. It’s difficult to play an entire game without Ezi on the floor, an entire game with stretches, minutes of the game without her on the floor and the second half in particular, holding them to 32. Thought that there was better defensive effort, locked in a little bit better on McBride and Collier. Some good moments from Sami for sure. Some good defensive effort, defensive blacks in the second half, but third quarters stalled out in offense again. Not able execute, taking really tough shots and not being able to generate points.”
Across several departments, whether it was points in the paint, second chance points, fast break points, rebounds: the two teams were close and similar through the first two frames. The Lynx, though, were taking advantage of the Storm mistakes and it was apparent. With all that being said, Seattle was still within striking distance at the halftime break and not in the large hole that they’ve found themselves in throughout several of their games this season. Given the single digit deficit, and that star guard Jewell Loyd had struggled in the first half (1-9 from the field), it looked like the Storm were primed to get things turned around to win their third straight game.
Seattle Storm shooting guard Jewell Loyd still hit double digits in this game, but was inefficient from the field in terms of shooting (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
A third quarter struggle, then it’s too little too late
Ahead of tonight’s contest, Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn had discussed how important this homestand was, as having the days to practice and preach the importance of avoiding stalling on offense is time that the Storm wouldn't have if they were on the road. While working to improve on that, Seattle stumbled on the same issue in this contest as the Storm offensive attack hit a snag in the third quarter. Seattle only tallied eleven points in the frame, shooting a poor 27% from the field and turning the ball over four times. With their leading scorer in Jewell Loyd continuing to struggle from the field, Seattle was unable to find their footing and it dug them a deeper hole to try and scrape out of.
“No traps today. I think McBride was just in passing lanes and very aggressive in my opinion. Seeing this defense with Minnesota and her, lots of congestion, gaps, that makes it really difficult to find those lanes and get to the rim. Just one of those nights for Jewell, in my opinion.”
After the rough third quarter, one of the Storm’s disappointing characteristics this 2023 season, Seattle was able to rally and outscore Minnesota in the fourth. It was sadly too little and too late for the Storm, as the Lynx had already given themselves the necessary distance and they never let Seattle come within seven points, but there were some good moments to note. Guards Jewell Loyd and Sami Whitcomb put in strong efforts to try and claw their team back, but there also lies an issue that was seen throughout the game: the Storm weren’t able to get buckets from anyone else, and Seattle dropped their 22nd loss of the season.
Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor had a solid start to the game, but that may not be remembered as much due to her fouling out (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Ezi’s energy starts the show, but meets an unfortunate event
Seattle center Ezi Magbegor began this game with great energy, getting inside the paint early and often, but had struggles in the second half that ultimately saw the Australian foul out in the final moments of this contest. While she had a somewhat solid night with 13 points, seven rounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks, things didn’t end well for Magbegor. Ezi had foul trouble early and while she was able to hang around for most of the game, Magbegor did foul out in the fourth quarter. It’s been talked about in recent games how the team wants Magbegor to be more aggressive in going to the rim, but obviously the best ability is availability, and that wasn’t something the Storm could count on with her tonight.
Seattle Storm starting point guard Sami Whitcomb dropped 23 points in this game (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Sami’s splash fest
Storm guard and University of Washington alum Sami Whitcomb continues to have quality efforts since being named the team's starting point guard around the midway point of the season and that trend continued in tonight’s game. Whitcomb was the best player on the court in this game for Seattle, as she led the team in scoring with 23 points while hitting five three-pointers. While Sami isn’t the traditional passing point guard, her ability to help this team space the floor more and give the starting five another Bonafide scoring option has helped this Storm team improve. While Sami isn’t always a sort of savior to repair the entire offense’s issues, it’s been clear and obvious that since she has entered the starting five, Whitcomb has improved the offense that starts the game.
Quick notes
Tonight’s attendance was 8,865 for this Lynx vs Storm game at Climate Pledge Arena.
Seattle held Minnesota to 78 points, keeping an opponent below 81 points for the seventh time in the last eight games.
Seattle blocked six shots, marking the ninth time the team has blocked six or more shots this season.
Sami Whitcomb scored a season-high 23 points, her third game with 20+ points this season and the eighth of her career. She erupted from three-point range connecting on 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, her fourth time sinking five or more from the three-point line this season and her 21ST with at least one three-pointer made. Whitcomb also dished three assists and helped with one rebound and one block.
Jewell Loyd, who is en route to breaking the WNBA single season scoring record, dropped 15 points, upping her double-digit scoring streak to 32, the second largest active in the WNBA. Loyd also contributed two rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Ezi Magbegor tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a pair of blocks and assists. That marked her 26th 10+ points game this season.
What’s next?
Following today’s loss to the Lynx, the Storm have wrapped up their four-game homestand and will head out on the road for a three-game trip that begins with a rematch against this same Minnesota team. These two teams will get back to action after a day off, which is just a travel day, when they meet at the Target Center on Sunday, August 20th with a tipoff time of 4PM PST. With a lot of positives to take from today’s game and obvious mistakes that need to be corrected, the Storm should have a gameplan prepared that has them in good position to knock off a Lynx team that currently sits as the three seed in the Western Conference.
