By Bel Garcia, edited by Charles Hamaker

Seattle, WA - The Seattle Storm welcomed the Atlanta Dream to Climate Pledge Arena for the first time this season. Seattle’s roster looked a bit different tonight, with recent news of Gabby Williams’ left foot stress fracture and the release of guard Ivana Dojkic, the Storm look to find a revamped lineup. They’ve struggled all season with locking in a starting five, with Gabby Williams recently introduced into it and finding her rhythm, but she is now out for the season.

In what sounded like a surprise to those on the Storm staff, Ivana Dojkic has a commitment to play for overseas in Europe. With her not getting many minutes, it may be safe to say that she was ready to focus on her commitment and leave Seattle.

The Seattle Storm struggled throughout the first half, with a very poor shooting percentage (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)

Scrambling on Offense

The tempo to begin the first quarter was scrambled, as the Storm were not playing at their pace and were rushing shots. Seattle missed several in the paint, but played very predictable without setting plays and allowing one player to hold the dribble and take the shot. The movement and setting of screens was not there to begin the game. Because of their offensive struggles, the Storm had to cause disruptions on the other end of the ball. Forcing the Dream to turnovers in the way of travels, getting in the passing lane, Seattle kept this one close. Atlanta was able to convert their shots on second attempts, one shot was not enough due to the aggressiveness of the Storm. It was an odd first quarter for offense in general; Seattle only shot 3-18 from the field with 16.7% shooting percentage. Atlanta was also in a bit of a lull, only making three more shots going 6-20 from the field, but that amounted to double the points of the Storm.

Seattle rookie forward Jordan Horston, who brought a spark upon Gabby’s foot injury in the game against the Sun, was in early foul trouble. With her aggressive defensive effort, she picked up her third foul midway through the second quarter defending a drive to the lane. The margin for error when players aren’t seeing their shots go down into the net is slim. Both teams leveled up their defense in the second quarter, but the physicality also increased. Horston was not the only player in early foul trouble, as Atlanta’s Allisha Gray also received her third foul before the half. Offensive struggles continued into the half, with Seattle only scoring 9 of 33 attempts for 27.3% and 1-5 from beyond the Arc. Atlanta’s struggles continued too into the second quarter where they only scored on 12 of 38 attempts, but they sunk six threes in the half to go up 34-27 at the half.

It was a quiet night for the league’s leading scorer, Jewell Loyd, who only had four points to begin the second half. None of the Storm players were in double digits, and only Rhyne Howard was to start the half for Atlanta. The Dream found an offensive rhythm after many visits to the charity strip in the third. Atlanta’s Aari McDonald was a spark off the bench for the Dream, with seven points in the third quarter, but the struggles were ongoing with field goal percentages lingering under 40%. The only success either team had in the quarter came from the free throw line, where they saw their highest shooting percentages. By the end of the third there had been a collective 108 shot attempts and only 36 scored baskets.

The Seattle Storm leaders, in terms of on court production and team tenure, Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor led the team to victory late (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)

Loyd/Magbegor Lead the Comeback

Storm center Ezi Magbegor brought the Storm within eight points midway through the fourth quarter and quietly had herself a double-double, with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The game was within reach for Seattle, but the physicality continued in the second half and many players saw their fouls go up resulting in timid play at times. Atlanta was in the penalty with three minutes remaining, Magbegor sunk one of her two free throws missing the crucial second, but Horston flew in for the rebound. A kick out to Jewell Loyd beyond the arc for three and the foul brought Seattle within one, with three minutes on the clock. After another Horston rebound, Magbegor took the lead for the first time in this game with two minutes remaining, but Atlanta took it right back. Horston once again being aggressive stole the ball with 49 seconds to keep the hopes alive for the Storm, preventing Atlanta from increasing the lead.

Aari McDonald missed two critical free throws at the end of the game to keep this at a one point lead. A Jewell Loyd And-1 brought the Storm lead to 66-64 with only enough time for one possession, Seattle put the ball in the best player’s hand and she produced. Howard’s turnover left Dream with only the option of fouling, Sami Whitcomb locked the game down with two made free throws and the Storm saw a 68-67 victory over the Atlanta Dream in a doozy.

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