By Christan Braswell, edited by Charles Hamaker

Seattle, WA - Shooting struggles plaguing the Seattle Storm (18-10) are well-documented. Throughout the course of the 2024 season and in the broadcast of the recent loss to the Atlanta Dream, it was mentioned several times that Seattle was 13-0 (now 13-2) when they shot at least 25 percent from deep. The stat is neat and shows how the team wins games despite being last in the WNBA three-point percentage (28.7), but it offers little context.

What does not receive nearly as much attention is how head coach Noelle Quinn and her staff maximize the strengths of their roster to overcome the hurdles they face from three-point land.

For example, in the much-needed 83-77 win over the Washington Mystics to close out a three-game road trip following the end of the Olympic break, Seattle capitalized on 22 turnovers and converted them into 22 points, accounting for 35 percent of their offensive production. They have mastered turning a weakness into their strong suit through rigid, team-driven defensive performances that fuel their offense.

When it comes to the following statistics, Seattle is one of two teams that rank in the top three of them all on a per-game basis:

• Free-throw percentage: 83.3 percent - 2nd

• Free-throw attempts: 19.7 - 4th

• Free-throw makes: 16.4 - 2nd

• Paint points: 40.6 - 2nd

• Points off turnovers: 17.6 - 3rd

• Second chance points: 11.5 - 3rd

All while piloting a defense with the second-best rating (94.6).

Heart and hustle are at the core of Seattle’s approach to basketball, and it shows. Not to mention they produce the offense they have while allowing the fifth-fewest turnovers (13.9). At one point, they were as high as third in the WNBA. The methods of Storm coach Noelle Quinn and her staff in maximizing the team’s strengths deserves just as much attention as their shooting struggles garner. But Quinn is not worried about what is of her team.

Any team on any given night can win in the WNBA. Every win is earned with the talent level being so rich across the league. The Washington Mystics (6-23) proved that Tuesday night in their 83-77 loss to the Storm.

Hot Potato, Hot Potato

In the loss to the Atlanta Dream to begin this road trip, Storm guard Skylar Diggins-Smith notched 12 of the team’s 22 first-quarter points. In the win over the Mystics, Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike scored 14 of the 26 points in the opening frame. Backup guard Sami Whitcomb has had her fair share of ten-point outbursts, mostly from three point range.

All-Star talents Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor have also both shared the baton this season jumpstarting the offense to start games when the team as a whole is not producing. This is an ability few groups have and Seattle makes the most of it.

She went on to say that reporters see the product on gameday, and eluded to the fact that most don’t see what happens behind closed doors. In the wise words of one Morgan Freeman, she’s right you know? Little things like like wellness days — which is Wednesday for the team this week — are crucial tools to the success Seattle has experienced. Taking care of the mind, body, and soul off the court is something that Quinn believes in, she actively promotes it.

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