Seattle, WA – In a battle between two talent laden rosters, the Seattle
Storm pulled away late against the Washington Mystics. The game
was close throughout, totaling seven lead changes, but a 14-2 by
Seattle wrapped it up.
Jewell Loyd led all scorers with 22 points, as four of the Storm’s five starters were in double digits. With the win, Seattle is now 5-1 in their last six games and sit firmly at second in the Western Conference.
Young Storm talented center Ezi Magbegor has been on a
tremendous rise this season, which has been a key to Seattle’s
success. Magbegor, with Mercedes Russell out due to injury, has
taken advantage of increased minutes. Ezi showed that in this game
as well, pouring in 20 points (tied for second most in the game) while
adding five rebounds and two blocks. The Australian center also leads
the entire WNBA in blocks per game, averaging 2.7 rejections a game.
Having Magbegor growth will certainly be a welcome addition to a
Storm team looking for a third option. Teammate Breanna Stewart
discussed Magbegor growth postgame.
“I think that Ezi is really continuing to develop in this league.
Especially with us in year three, coming in and taking a much bigger
role with Mercedes being in an out of our lineup. She’s making the
right reads, understanding what teams are doing defensively…. she’s
finishing strong, well through contact,” Stewart stated.
The Storm bench has been a wildcard this season. There are
stretches of games where the bench sees a great contribution, with
veterans like Jantel Lavender and Briann January adding an edge.
This game saw a very low input from the second unit, as the bench
only added nine points. A key piece to a championship team, let alone
a good playoff team, is a productive bench. The Storm cannot afford
to rely on its big three all the time, especially considering that Gabby
Williams is looking to find consistent offense.
Head coach Noelle Quinn discussed her bench postgame.
“Yeah, I’d like some more from them, but today, there was a lot of
good carry over. With the movement that they showed offensively.
Defensively, they were on a string. I want to trust them and keep them
in, I see the growth in it. It’s small steps, but it is good steps in the
right direction. There were good things that unit did today,” Quinn
would reflect.
This Storm team shows flashes of its potential in different ways each
night. Whether it be the growth of Magbegor, Gabby Williams having a
breakout game in New York, the bench on fire, etc. They seem to be
mostly finding their stride heading into the All-Star break, but it will be
key that once they find it, they keep it going. Around this same time
last season, the Storm were rolling. Breanna Stewart looked like a
lock for the MVP award, and Seattle had won the Commissioners cup.
Keeping that momentum is key, as you want to be the team that finds
their stride heading into the playoffs.
The Storm have a relatively quick turnaround for their next game, as
they battle the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, June 25th at Climate
Pledge Arena. Tipoff is at 6PM PST, as the struggling Sparks come to
town looking to rebound.
