By Bel Garcia

Seattle, WA - Seattle and Washington started game two with the understanding that whoever did the little things on each side of the court would likely win. Another assignment each team understood, was that they had to contain stars Breanna Stewart and Elena Delle Donne to make the contest a bit more even. It was a close match up all the way through, and for the most part both teams were playing man to man defense. Understanding that they match up so well, it was the opportunity for each individual player to show what they’re made of in an elimination game atmosphere.

Elena Delle Donne understood that she had to be aggressive to start the game, and while she was looking for her shots early, they weren’t falling. Delle Donne ended the first half only 3-9 from the field and a total of nine points. Same could be said for Seattle’s Breanna Stewart, who ended the first half with only four free throw points. Naturally, the Storm understood that Delle Donne would be in the play scheme for majority of the Mystics offense, but crowding Delle Donne left other shooters open and the opportunity for offensive rebounds were given to other Mystics players. Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins were a few of the players that found themselves open due to the Storm’s crowding of Delle Donne. Natasha Cloud promised that she would be back better in game two and certainly proved that today. She committed only two turnovers and moved the ball around more while still finding her own shots, all things Cloud promised she would improve. Cloud’s stat sheet was everything the Mystics could have hoped for at 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

“What happens when you jam is you live with giving up the three, I had a feeling she was going to be a lot more aggressive.” HC Noelle Quinn on Natasha Cloud

The Mystics saw success in their offense with other players, but so did the Storm. A key takeaway from this game was the ball movement early. A big contribution to the facilitating tonight came from Sue Bird, who had a double-double recording ten assists for the game. The ball was flowing well through a Bird controlled offense. Stewart, who found her shot in the second half also made sure to contribute to her teammates finding the ball, she ended the night with eight assists and was a presence on the boards with ten rebounds. Bird and Loyd started the game hot and put their team in a position to lead for most of the game, as Bird came out strong in the first quarter. She scored nine of her 18 points in the first quarter in the form of only three-point shots. As for Loyd, her game one struggles didn’t continue in this one, as she saw shots go in early and looked like classic Loyd. The Storm have expressed their next woman up mentality throughout the whole season, today was no different. Unfortunately, Gabby Williams left the game with a concussion late in the third quarter. Williams would be replaced by Stephanie Talbot, who understood the role that she now had to take on the court.

“Everybody else took up the slack until she (Stewart) got going. Sue did her usual of getting everyone organized and getting people where they needed to be.” – Washington Mystics HC Mike Thibault on Seattle Storm offense

When asked about Sue Bird’s performance, Cloud credited Sue for “just doing Sue things.” Behind Sue’s leadership and direction, Seattle ended the season of a great defensive team by going 55% from the field. Seattle anticipated the sense of urgency the Mystics were going to play with and successfully executed their offense and defense to come away with a series win. They move on to the next round in the playoffs, facing the number one seed in the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces. The first game of the semifinals round between Seattle and Las Vegas is on August 28th, with a 1PM PST tipoff on ESPN.

https://www.whereweconverge.com/circling-seattle-sports