Seattle, WA – In their first game without athletic forward Gabby Williams and rookie European point guard Ivana Dojkic, the Seattle Storm won one of the more improbable games of the season and tallied just their third home victory this year. This contest was a physical battle between the two teams, while both sides struggled shooting from the field and from the free throw line. Atlanta controlled three quarters of this contest before Seattle locked in defensively to hold the Dream to just seven points in the final frame, including a scoreless streak of seven minutes. In clutch time, it was the Storm’s best players who propelled the team to victory as Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor both poured in nine points each in the final ten minutes.
The first half of this contest between the Storm and Dream saw both teams in a physical battle with numerous fouls and poor shooting numbers. Seattle was especially poor shooting from the field, shooting a dismal 13% after the first quarter and slightly improved 27% at halftime. The Storm offense looked a mess with frantic possessions that left them looking unprepared on offense, failing to get into the paint and forcing shots instead of getting into sets and letting the game come to them. Their defensive play and relentless approach with the basketball kept them in this game, ensuring that they weren’t facing a giant deficit at the halfway mark, but it was clear that the Storm were not performing to their best ability on offense and if they were to do that, they’d surely have a lead in this game.
“I mean, just trying to get a rhythm and that’s probably the best way, to get to the line and find that rhythm at the same time. I mean, yeah, I didn’t shoot great tonight, but those are shots I’ve been taking all season, so I’m not going to get too caught up on it. I feel more frustrated because I want to help my team, and I’m not doing that,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm guard, on her first half struggles and using free throws to get back on track.
Going into the final quarter up by 13 points and with the Storm sputtering along on offense, hitting an extended offensive lull like what we’ve seen throughout their 2023 campaign, this game almost certainly seemed headed in favor of the Dream. Atlanta had been getting to the free throw line and getting some key Seattle players, like Jordan Horston, into considerable foul trouble. But, despite the things working against Seattle such as their poor offensive form in this game, Jewell Loyd not shooting like herself, and Atlanta getting to the free throw line, the Storm remained within a single digit deficit. Seattle’s resilient manner, despite all that has been stacked against them, continues to keep them in games and did so tonight.
“Defense. That’s where we locked in on. We were getting good looks and it just wasn’t falling. I think Jordan came in and gave us great minutes, she forced big steals, big plays, rebounds. Mercedes came in, and I told her this after the game, she kept me so engaged. I mean, her voice is so heard in our huddles, throughout any of our defensive stuff, her voice was heard, and she really got us through. Everyone came, they were ready to go and that’s what we needed,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm guard, on what sparked the comeback.
Following today’s thrilling comeback victory over the Dream, the Storm will look to build a winning streak as they continue this four-game homestand when the Phoenix Mercury come to town on Sunday, August 13th. Tipoff at Climate Pledge Arena between Phoenix and Seattle is at 12PM PST, as the Storm look to stifle a Mercury team that defeated the mighty Connecticut Sun tonight while Seattle was making their comeback against Atlanta. Despite both teams struggling this season, sitting as the bottom two teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix and Seattle always tend to put on a good show against each other.
