LA Sparks stun the Seattle Storm 85-77

The Sparks use a 17-9 run throughout the 4th quarter to upset Seattle.

(Seattle, WA) - You can never underestimate or look past any opponent in the WNBA. If there’s any lesson to be learned from this game that should be one of them. Prior to Saturday night, the Sparks had been struggling, losing four of their last five games. But after falling behind by 12 points early in the first quarter they rallied and played Seattle tight the rest of the way. Ultimately, it was the Sparks that executed better in the 4th quarter to win the game.

“Not the effort that we needed and wanted to win against a team that played hard. We just didn’t sustain, we didn’t execute well on both ends of the floor. We can’t win scoring nine points. We didn’t get stops. Nneka went to work. In isolated spots, they ran the same play and we couldn’t get stops. Defensively, in order to run (we have to get stops). The shots we did take I feel like were rushed and contested.” Coach Noelle Quinn said in her opening statement.

Breanna Stewart played extremely well but she didn’t get enough support. Stewie finished the game with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Ezi Magbegor added 16 points, four rebounds, and three blocked shots. But she didn’t score in the 4th quarter and struggled with foul trouble through parts of the game. Gabby Williams was the only other Storm player to reach double figures with 11 points, including nine in the third period. She also went scoreless in the 4th quarter, which was a theme for most of the team. Seattle was outscored 17-9 in the final period. Something that Stewie couldn’t believe after the game.

“The third was back and forth like you said. Then going into the 4th (quarter) they were able to execute off of our miscues. They weren’t really live-ball turnovers. They were slowly bringing it up and they were scoring. Basically, they were scoring and we weren’t.” Breanna Stewart said.

When questioned further on it she had this to say.

“Sometimes we got a couple of open looks where there was no person near them and we just couldn’t knock it in. Looking at this, scoring nine points in the 4th quarter is unacceptable. I don’t know if the way we started, where we started so hot from three. We should have still put the emphasis on getting to the paint, getting paint touches, and playing inside out. LA played really well tonight. They were solid and consistent. We just need to regroup and get ready for Vegas because that’s a big one.” Stewie added.

Seattle shot 4-16 FG in the final 10 minutes including 0-7 from three-point range. The Storm made 5-10 FG from beyond the arc to begin the game in the first quarter. Throughout the rest of the game, they were 3-17 FG from long distance.

“You can’t be mediocre and expect to win in this league. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against, 1 through 12. Everybody is skilled and professional. We have to come out with a mindset, a sense of urgency. Understanding it doesn’t matter what a team’s record shows, these teams are hungry. They’re fighting, they’re playing hard, and we have to come out with that same urgency. We can’t be mediocre and expect to win games.” Coach Quinn added.

The Los Angeles Sparks

Wow, Nneka Ogwumike was impressive in this game. She finished with 24 points on 12-18 FG shooting. No matter if Seattle had a hand in her face or not she was converting shot after shot. She was so smooth with her game and it made me realize that Nneka likely doesn’t get nearly the credit and recognition she deserves for how good she is. I asked Stewart about that.

“She’s a former MVP. She’s one of the best to do it. She’s an All-Star starter. She definitely can get more recognition. She’s a solid player. She’s very consistent and she was tonight.” Stewie replied.

Katie Lou Samuelson returned to Seattle and got her revenge after being traded away in the offseason. Samuelson finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Brittney Sykes scored 15 points and had a team-high eight assists. More importantly, Sykes held Jewell Loyd to just three points in this game. Loyd made just 1-9 FG. This was not the first time Sykes has given Loyd problems.

I spoke with Coach Quinn after the game about what makes Sykes an excellent perimeter defender.

“Her ability to stick to bodies. You think you can back(door) cut her and she uses her athleticism and catches up. She doesn’t back off at all. Her pressure lasts from quarter one to quarter four. She covers a lot of ground. She’s very locked into her matchups. Knowing how to take away the strengths of other players. She’s very good at running into the passing lanes and being attentive to her schemes.” Quinn told me.

Kristi Toliver played well in the first half scoring all 11 of her points.

The Sparks shot better from the floor than Seattle, making 47% (34-72) compared to just 41% (26-63) for the Storm. LA had a significant rebounding advantage out-rebounding Seattle 41-26. They also had a 36-26 edge with points in the paint.

Game Breakdown

Ezi Magbegor got the Storm off to a strong start blowing past Liz Cambage on a nifty hand-off play. She then got a steal and another fast break layup to put the Storm up 4-0. Nneka Ogwumike responded back with four points of her own. In between those baskets Stewart hit a three.

Kristi Toliver tied the game up at 7-7 with a shot from beyond the arc. But Stewie immediately hit one of her own at the other end. Stewie was able to get the defensive stop against Liz Cambage and then hit another three (her third of the opening period). Loyd them rimmed one around as well. Seattle scored nine-straight points and Los Angeles needed a timeout with Seattle leading 16-7.

Sue Bird added a three of her own to put the Storm up 12. Kristi Toliver ended the 12-0 run by Seattle with her own triple. It was raining threes in Seattle.

Gabby drove down the lane and found Ezi for an easy layup. Nneka was able to body her way past Stewart for two more. Brittney Sykes was able to drive and draw the foul for two free throws. She split the pair. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had a nice putback layup off an offensive rebound. Prince had a nice acrobatic layup past defenders for Seattle. Sykes then nailed a three from near halfcourt at the buzzer of the first quarter after Seattle turned it over. Seattle led 25-20 after the first period of play.

Epiphanny Prince had a nice off-balanced shot to begin the next quarter. Sykes added a layup and Katie Lou made an open mid-range jumper. Samuelson was able to draw an offensive foul on Jantel Lavender. Nneka then got to the rim for an easy two. Prince then turned it over, stepping on the baseline when she had no one to pass to. After that, Lexie Brown nailed a corner three to tie the game at 29-29. Nneka then got another layup to put LA ahead.

Ezi hit a three to briefly retake the lead. But then more points from Nneka and an AND1 by Liz Cambage to make it 36-32. Los Angeles used a 19-7 run to take the four-point lead.

A few plays later Magbegor was called for a Flagrant-1 foul when she was trying to rebound the ball and Chiney Ogwumike pulled on her. Ezi’s elbow came down on Chiney’s nose sending C. Ogwumike to the ground in pain. There was a several-minute delay in the action until Chiney was able to return to shoot her free throws. The reason for the long delay was that if Chiney did not shoot the free throws she should have been ineligible to play the rest of the game.

The Sparks were able to take an eight-point lead at 44-36. Seattle would go on a 7-1 run to cut LA’s lead to just two at 45-43. Kristi Toliver scored the final four points of the first half to give Los Angeles a six-point halftime lead (49-43).

Breanna Stewart led all scorers in the first half with 16 points. Ezi Magbegor added 10 more for Seattle. But Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird each only had three points. Toliver led the Sparks with 11 points. Nneka Ogwumike and Brittney Sykes each added 10 points for Los Angeles.

Gabby Williams had a nice drive that resulted in an AND1 layup. But Katie Lou responded on the other end with a corner three. That was a fun little exchange considering those two players were traded for one another. Nneka was able to hit a turnaround over Stewie. Stewart responded with a three. Sue Bird made another three. But Nneka got another short-range shot and Katie Lou got away with a travel and buried a three once she got the ball back.

Katie Lou with another three to keep LA in the lead by six points. The Storm would use a 6-0 run to tie the game. But Lexie Brown nailed another long-range shot to put the Sparks back up three points. Gabby and Stewie both made a pair of free throws to tie the game back up 68-68 late in the third period. The two teams would enter the 4th quarter all tied up.

Stephanie Talbot made a basket over Katie Lou to begin the fourth quarter. Nneka and Stewart exchanged baskets. Sykes was able to drive in for the AND1 layup against Talbot to help Los Angeles go up by one.

Both teams went back and forth over the next few minutes. But Los Angeles out-executed Seattle down the stretch with Nneka and Katie Lou scoring while Seattle missed shots. Olivia Nelson-Ododa was able to score down low to put the Sparks up six.

Seattle called a timeout and committed two turnovers immediately after. It felt like they were rushing their possessions as they were really careless.

Knowing that Seattle likes to play at a fast-paced, I asked Coach Quinn if the rushed pace was a drawback and if she felt they should have slowed things down.

“We struggle in the halfcourt offensively. I feel like a certain type of pace in our grand scheme of things isn’t necessarily how fast you go. There’s a way in which you play. Your cuts, the screens, the timing of things - that encompasses our pace. It’s about being quick but not hurrying. It’s how we can get quality looks without a set defense. I’m not sure that we’re a great half-court offensive team in those settings. Because against aggressive teams, that take away passing lanes, deny, and pressure it’s really tough for us. In pace and transition, we can get cleaner looks when the defense is not set.” Quinn explained.

I also asked Ezi this question after the game. If they would have benefitted from not playing at such a high pace late in the game, slow things down to execute without turnovers.

“I think that’s our game. We love to play in transition. If we can get early scores that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to set drags. I think we’re just used to it. We’re going to play to our strengths and the transition game is our strength.” Magbegor told me.

Nneka made one last shot and that ended Seattle’s night. On Thursday, the Storm outscored the Washington Mystics 16-4 in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter. On Saturday, the Sparks outscored Seattle 10-2 over the game’s final six minutes resulting in an 85-77 victory for Los Angeles.

Additional Analysis

Seattle to sign Tina Charles!?

This topic deserves its own article but it’s too newsworthy to not address right now.

I have been pretty adamant that the Storm needed to make some type of move to improve the roster this season. Especially with the bench really struggling as it has this year (after a very nice start to the season). When I suggested that, I wasn’t thinking about Tina Charles.

No, I was thinking more along the lines of a Nikolina Milic or Kennedy Burke after they were both recently cut. I had also previously suggested even taking a flyer on a younger player that could provide more energy off the bench like a Te’a Cooper, Rennia Davis, or Arella Guirantes.

Charles wasn’t currently on my radar but she certainly was during this past off-season. I wrote all about the top free agents Seattle should consider and I thought Charles made a ton of sense in Seattle if she was willing to take on a lesser role.

Ultimately, Charles opted to play in Phoenix. Apparently, she had seriously considered signing with the Storm but chose the Mercury because she was likely to play a more significant role with them than in Seattle; especially with the unfortunate situation surrounding Brittney Griner.

Fast forward a few months later and things have unraveled in Phoenix to the point that a bombshell was dropped on the WNBA early in the afternoon on Saturday.

Phoenix Mercury @PhoenixMercury

My initial reaction was that Seattle’s front office better be on the phone trying to work out a deal. Fortunately, the Storm had cut Reshanda Gray earlier this week to provide some financial flexibility to make such a deal.

ESPN has a story up on Charles’ departure from the Mercury with some interesting pieces of information. Charles will go on waivers but no team in the league can afford to claim her because it would have to take on her full contract. No WNBA team has the salary cap space for that. Once Tina Charles clears waivers she is free to sign with any team of her choosing.

Charles is obviously going to want to sign with a serious contender. That would rule out the four teams not currently in the playoff hunt as well as some of the bottom playoff teams (in the 6-8 range).

Washington and Connecticut are loaded in the frontcourt already. Those two teams don’t make a ton of sense.

Seattle has the most-obvious need for another big with Mercedes Russell missing so many games this season with her health issues. Charles would be an instant upgrade over Jantel Lavender. The Storm have struggled offensively and with rebounding this season. Tina would clearly help with both. Charles is averaging 17.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG.

While the Storm officially have “no comment” on any signing at this time. Multiple other WNBA media outlets and reporters have confirmed per their sources that Charles will be signing with the Seattle Storm.

If and when it does become official I’ll have more to say on the matter. For now, I’ll just say that I believe the move makes the Storm better; maybe even significantly better. My initial gut reaction is this move puts the Storm into the Tier 1 of title contenders alongside teams like Las Vegas and Chicago. With this being Sue Bird’s final season, this is the move to make. Seattle is now ALL IN.

Rebounding Woes

As mentioned earlier, the Storm were out-rebounded in this game 41-26. They are tied with Los Angeles as the second-worst team in the WNBA at rebounding the basketball at just 32.1 RPG. They are also second to last in Defensive Rebounds at 24.3, indicating that they give up too many offensive rebounds to their opponents. On Saturday, the Sparks doubled the Storm with O-Boards 10 to 5.

One thing I was curious about and so I discussed with Breanna Stewart and Coach Noelle Quinn - was whether their poor rebounding was a necessary sacrifice due to their affinity for three-point shooting. Obviously, if you have players all hanging around the perimeter shooting threes there aren’t a ton of players down low to get those rebounds.

“The three-ball is part of what we do. If you go back to the efficiency over the last few games we’ve been really locked in on that. Another thing is we’re bad at getting to the free throw line. It’s a combination of - we can’t live and die from the three-point line. We need to have some rhythm and variety within our offense, getting to the paint, and finishing around the rim. Things our offense can provide. Honestly, I think we’re going to continue to shoot threes. Obviously, when you miss a lot of shots, there are a lot of rebound opportunities. For us, it’s important to get on the offensive glass. I think we have the capability to do that. If we’re going to take the threes I think the opportunistic offensive rebounds come into play to offset us losing these rebounding battles.” Quinn answered.

When Stewie was presented with that question she replied with.

“On offense it’s different, you have to pick and choose when you crash the boards because you don’t want to give up any leak outs…. (paused for a moment) … They had 31 defensive rebounds and we had 21. And they didn’t shoot amazing, so we should have got rebounds!” Stewart said with frustration.

What is Wrong with Liz Cambage?

Liz Angeles was supposed to be a big deal this summer! Liz Cambage has long wanted to play for the Los Angeles Sparks dating back to when she was still with the Dallas Wings. She ended up getting traded to Las Vegas and helped the Aces become one of the best teams in the WNBA during her tenure there. Yes, with Cambage comes a certain amount of drama. But there’s no denying that when she’s playing at her best she can be one of the most dominant players in the entire WNBA.

That’s not what we’re seeing this season. And especially not over the past six games. Cambage has been held to single-digit scoring in all of those games. Even more noticeable she’s played less than 20 minutes in half of those games.

Seattle held her to a season-low three points on 1-5 FG shooting. That’s quite the stark contrast from her May 20th performance against Seattle where she scored a season-high 25 points.

There’s obviously been some turmoil in LA since former head coach and General Manager Derek Fisher was relieved of his duties.

It’s hard to say whether Cambage just isn’t in good playing shape this season; if it’s an attitude problem, lacking chemistry with her Sparks teammates, or something else. It was pretty noticeable that she wasn’t on the same page with some of her teammates in this game as there were a couple of times where either she passed to no one, or they tried passing to her but she wasn’t where the pass was going. Clearly, some miscommunication going on as those moments led to turnovers.

It’s certainly possible the season hasn’t gone the way Cambage and the Sparks would have hoped and she has mentally checked out; affecting her conditioning, her drive, and desire to play. And if it doesn’t work in LA, the next question will be - will Liz Cambage work well on any WNBA team at this point? Or could her WNBA career be coming to an end?

Jersey Count

The Storm were back in their “Rebel” black uniforms again just as they were on Thursday. This time they weren’t able to get it done, losing the game, and falling to 5-2 on the season while wearing the “Rebel” jerseys. Seattle falls to 11-7 on the season and remains in the 4th seed in the WNBA standings. They trail the Las Vegas Aces (13-4), Chicago Sky (12-5), and Connecticut Sun (12-6). They are 1/2 game ahead of the Washington Mystics (12-9).

It’s never just one game, but with the Aces losing on Saturday night. Seattle could have made up some ground had they managed to beat the Sparks. They let this one get away.

Records per jersey type this season:
Rebel: 5-2
Explorer: 1-3
Heroine: 5-2
Overall Record: 11-7

Up Next

The best team in the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces (13-4) come to Seattle for the first time this season. The Aces were able to beat the Storm pretty easily in their first matchup this season. Will Wednesday’s game be any different? Will Seattle have a brand new player? We’ll find out when the Storm host Las Vegas on June 29th at 7:00 PM.

Notes:
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Photo Credits to Neil Enns/Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography Team
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