Loyd, Stewart too much for the Liberty as Seattle beats New York 99-83.
Seattle's duo combined for 48 points and 19 rebounds in the victory over New York.
(Brooklyn, New York) - The return of Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird helped the Seattle Storm return to form on Friday night as they dispatched the New York Liberty 99-83. Their return eased the pressure off of Jewell Loyd, who continued to shine with another spectacular game.
Loyd finished with a game-high 29 points on 8-13 FG including 7-9 from 3-PT range. She also had five rebounds and four assists. Breanna Stewart returned with another double-double scoring 19 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
Sue Bird’s presence was notable as she scored seven of her ten points in the first quarter. She also had a team-high six assists in the game. Bird also scored her 6,500 career points in this game, the sixth player in league history to reach that mark.
Bird was one of three Storm players to score exactly 10 points in this game. Jordin Canada and Ezi Magbegor both had strong games off the bench for Seattle as they each added ten as well.
“Another opportunity to get better. That first half we were kind of getting our feet under us as far as with the group back. And then we kind of took off in that third quarter. We had a really efficient offensive game, some very good production from Jewell especially on that, but all around very good contributions from our entire team. [I’m] super happy that we got the second half of this series with New York.” Coach Quinn gave her thoughts on the game.
“Today was definitely a must-win. We understand that every game from here on is like a playoff game and is going to have playoff implications. And like I discussed before, we get everybody's best, understanding that we are jockeying for position and the goal is to get the top two. So this was a very important victory.” She continued.
Seattle’s bench was significantly improved in this game compared to Wednesday’s first game against New York. During Wednesday’s loss to the Liberty, the bench was outscored 30-12. On Friday, the Storm’s bench outdueled the Liberty’s 33-21. It certainly helped to get two starters back which in turn strengthened Seattle’s reserves.
“We're continuing to see Ezi grow. She played very hard and very aggressively towards the rim, and she was everywhere defensively. Jordin had a very good pace to her. She was aggressive but she was poised. She had only one assist today, but I believe over the last three games [she had] 13 or so and maybe zero turnovers. I believe those were very good contributions from those players and that's going to help propel us into the postseason. Their experience is so valuable in this last push that we're trying to get.” Quinn stated.
The Storm shot a ridiculous 54% from the three-point range (14-26). To put that in perspective shooting 40% from beyond the arc is considered excellent. In total, Seattle shot nearly 49% (33-68) from the floor. They were also a perfect 19-19 from the free throw line.
New York had four players score in double figures led by Sami Whitcomb’s 26 points; 15 of those came in the first quarter. Whitcomb also had a game-high eight assists and five rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu had a strong game with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Natasha Howard had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds but did struggle with her shot going 4-19 on her field goal attempts. Rebecca Allen was the only player on the Liberty’s bench to score double digits with 13.
Sue Bird spoke about playing against her former teammates Whitcomb and Howard.
“I got to see Sami yesterday and “Tasha” before the game. I have a lot of love for those too. I've said this before: the last couple of years we had a really special team and a really special group. And I feel really grateful that I got to experience that group and Sami and Tasha were a big part of that, not just on the court, but off the court as well. So, it was great to see them. I am always going to wish them the best and a ton of success. Obviously, just not when they play us, but otherwise I hope they kill it. Sami actually killed it tonight, so that wasn't fun. We know what she's like. It wasn't fun because we know what she's capable of. We've all experienced it. I personally have, every day in practice for the last couple of years, so we know what she's capable of. She had a great game tonight, so it's good to see and I know Tasha is coming back from her knee injury and she'll be a great addition to this team as well.” Sue Bird reflecting on her time with Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Howard.
Game Breakdown
Seattle got off to a hot start with the help of Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. The Storm quickly jumped out to an 11-4 lead before the Liberty rallied with their own 7-0 run to tie the game 11-11.
Sami Whitcomb and Jewell Loyd exchanged triples which once again tied the game at 16-16. Whitcomb exploded for 13 of the Liberty’s first 21 points and 15 total in the opening quarter. She was knocking down multiple three-pointers, driving hard to the rim, and drawing fouls.
A four-point play by Sabrina Ionescu gave New York their largest lead of the quarter 28-20.
New York led 30-23 after one. The Liberty shot a blistering 67% from three while connecting on 6-9 from beyond the arc. Jewell Loyd kept Seattle in the game hitting three triples to score nine points in the first period.
After the Liberty forced a quick turnover to begin the second quarter, Seattle would go on a 7-0 run to cut New York’s lead back down to just two points (32-30). Ezi Magbegor had some nice plays including a drive to the rim and a midrange shot. Magbegor scored six points off the bench in the first half.
Seattle’s defense improved significantly in the second quarter limiting the Liberty to 17 points after giving up 30 in the first half. The Storm continued a similar output scoring 23 points in both the first and second quarters of the game.
New York led 47-46 through the first two quarters. Seattle shot 75% from three-point range in the first half (9-12 3-PT FG). If you would have told me that and then said the Storm were losing the game I would be stunned. But that’s what happens when a team turns the ball over 12 times and the other team has only four.
Sami Whitcomb led all scorers with 18 points in the first half, scoring 15 of those in the first period. Sabrina Ionescu was the next leading scorer for New York with nine points. Seattle was led by Jewell Loyd’s 13 points and 10 points from Breanna Stewart.
Sue Bird cashed in on a three early in the third quarter to give Seattle a 49-47 lead. Both teams exchanged baskets with Howard and Loyd exchanging three-point shots.
Loyd then hit another three (her sixth of the game) and Seattle was able to get a transition layup to Katie Lou Samuelson as the Storm took a three-point lead 59-56 forcing Walt Hopkins to call timeout.
Loyd continued to shoot lights out knocking down another triple and then Breanna Stewart converted an AND1 to give Seattle their largest lead of the game at eight (71-63).
The Storm finished the third period on a 10-0 run as Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart did the bulk of the scoring. Seattle outscored New York 30-16 and took a thirteen-point lead into the fourth quarter (76-63).
Coach Quinn spoke on the keys to the successful third quarter.
“Just getting locked in on the details of our schemes defensively, getting some stops, getting some easy transition buckets. We had zero turnovers in the second half and that was huge. I think a lot of that started on the defensive end just being able to get up on shooters. They were running that elbow action and we were trying to situate our defensive scheme. But I think we've just locked in a little bit tighter, and we were very sharp offensively.”
“Our goal is always 12 or below in our turnovers. When we are able to take shots on goals and not give other teams more possessions, we have a 100-point game, shoot very efficiently, take care of the ball, move the ball, screen well and play with one another within the offense. We have a lot of threats on the floor, but when we're careless with the ball we give teams easy buckets, and it actually hurts our defense in a way. So, not turning the ball over is so key. [I am] super happy and super proud of our team for locking in on that detail.” Quinn concluded.
Ezi scored early in the 4th to push Seattle’s lead to 15. The Liberty were never able to recover. Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the quarter but Seattle always had the advantage.
They pushed their lead to above 20 points on a fastbreak layup to Katie Lou Samuelson.
Seattle’s bench was emptied for the final three minutes of the game as the starters were able to maintain a 15-20 point lead throughout the quarter.
New York was outscored again in the 4th quarter 23-20. The Storm held a 53-36 advantage in the second half.
Additional Analysis
Sami Whitcomb’s growth
Anyone that’s been following the Seattle Storm since 2017 knows what a great player Sami Whitcomb is. Since joining Seattle, she was a consistent spark plug off the bench. A lights-out three-point shooter, a tenacious defender, and a player who hustled and gave high energy and effort of every minute that she was out on the court.
Most notably was her Game 5 performance against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA semifinals in 2018 where she scored 11 points knocking down two triples and playing key minutes in the 4th quarter.
In 2019, she started providing even more off the bench as she increased her season average from 2.9 PPG in 2018 to 7.2 in 2019. Whitcomb grew even more in her final season with Seattle averaging 8.1 PPG.
After the 2020 Championship season, Whitcomb was ready for more. And it just wasn’t possible for Seattle to give her the money or playing time she desired. She was always going to play behind Jewell Loyd in Seattle. And Seattle needed to prepare for the 2022 offseason where both Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd are set to become free agents and will require max contracts to keep them in Seattle. The Storm needed that salary cap flexibility for this upcoming offseason and so a trade was made with the Liberty to send Whitcomb to New York for Stephanie Talbot.
As we’re about 3/4 of the way through the 2021 season I would say this trade has been a win for both teams. New York was able to pay Sami Whitcomb considerably more money. Whitcomb made $50,000 in each of her first three seasons with Seattle and $68,000 during her final season with the Storm in 2020. She’s now making $150,350 in 2021 and will make that same amount in 2022 as well. Whitcomb essentially tripled her salary by signing with the Liberty.
In Whitcomb, the Liberty get a veteran WNBA player who has proven she can play and be successful at the WNBA level including being a key piece of two championship teams. Whitcomb brings elite three-point shooting, hustle defense, and all the intangibles that often go unnoticed in a basketball game.
The investment in Whitcomb has paid off for New York. She has started all 24 games for them averaging career-highs in nearly every statistical category including 12.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, and shooting a career-high 49% FG and 44% from three-point range. Whitcomb leads the WNBA in total 3-PT FG made at 64. Her 44% from beyond the arc is 5th best in the league.
And while Whitcomb is arguably the better player in 2021, Seattle found a good replacement in Talbot. Talbot brings a lot of similar qualities that Whitcomb did for Seattle. She is an excellent three-point shooter averaging 47% from deep (3rd best in the WNBA). Talbot is also a solid defender and rebounder. Talbot is averaging 5.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 1.4 APG. There are two other factors that play into this trade. Stephanie is six years younger than Sami Whitcomb and is currently making $70,000 this season ($80,000 less than Whitcomb).
Whitcomb’s 26 points on Friday was the third time this season she’s scored at least 25 points in a game. She set a personal career-high on June 26th against the Atlanta Dream where she tallied 30 points in a 101-78 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
It’s great to see Sami have so much success in New York after knowing how hard she worked not just in Seattle but also in Australia for several years to even make it to the WNBA.
Jewell’s special run
Jewell Loyd has now scored 26, 35, and 29 points over the past three games. That’s 90 total points or an average of 30.0 PPG over her last three. Thanks to the team over at Across the Timeline who pointed out the historical perspective of that accomplishment. Jewell’s 90 points are the 4th highest total in a three-game set for any Seattle Storm player in the franchise’s 22-year history.
Only the great Lauren Jackson has ever had better output totals dating back to 2007. Lauren has the top three spots in Seattle Storm history with her best output totaling 103 points between July 24th and July 27th in 2007. That’s an average of nearly 35 PPG which is unreal. LJ truly was special and Jewell is floating around rarified air.
You can check out the Top 10 three-game totals in Seattle Storm history via Across the Timeline by clicking this link.
I spoke with Breanna Stewart about Jewell’s recent performances after Friday’s game.
“I think that Jewell is continuing to play aggressive. I think tonight was her best performance because it was the most efficient. Seven of nine from three is incredible! Jewell is doing exactly what Jewell does. I just appreciate the opportunity to play with her and the opportunity to share the court with her and know that we will continue to do that for hopefully a very long time.” Stewart said.
Coach Quinn also spoke highly of Seattle’s All-Star shooting guard.
“Jewell is great in her role for us when she is able to focus on scoring and defending not having to carry a huge load. And when you have elite players like Sue and Stewie they fit so well. Those last two games where we kind of had a bigger load for her to carry, she still was giving us her best effort. The offensive efficiency comes when she has her comrades on her side with her and she doesn’t have to worry about everything that encompasses a game. So, the efficiency just comes when she's able to lock in on the details.”
Sue Bird followed that up with what she’s seen out of Loyd.
“It helps when the whole team starts playing well. It takes off the pressure, which she had a little bit on her those first two games to carry the load. So, obviously, you add Stewie back in, people were hitting shots and that helps as well. But when Jewell is like that… we've seen it before. When Jewell is playing like that. She's virtually unstoppable.” Bird told us.
Jewell was asked about the differences between this game and the first game against New York on Wednesday.
“I don't like to lose, especially when I feel like we could have won. But, you know, you go back and evaluate how to get better. I think that's what we did. Even tonight we did some things that you can clean up and get better at. And obviously, you want to be playing really well, towards the end of the season and picking up the right time. That's what we're trying to do to finish up this road trip.” Loyd said.
Storm to visit the White House
It was announced on Friday that the Seattle Storm were invited to the White House to visit President Joe Biden that will take place on Monday, August 23rd after their game against the Washington Mystics on August 22nd.
Seattle will be the first WNBA team invited to the White House since the Minnesota Lynx were invited in 2015 under President Obama.
Per Seattle’s PR - Before the ceremony, Storm players will participate in a conversation with members of the White House Gender Policy Council and work with the White House to record messages of support for gender, racial and LGBTQ+ equality, voting rights, and pro-vaccination.
Sue Bird spoke on the situation after Friday’s game against New York.
“A visit to the White House—and I've been lucky to go there two times before—has always been a tremendous honor to be invited. And it's sad in a lot of ways that no WNBA team has been invited in the last couple of years— and we know why—so it's nice to have a President's office who's going to recognize women and their success. I think we're all looking forward to it. This was an honor—to be invited to the White House—to celebrate the success of a team.” Bird said.
“It's going to be a really exciting moment. I think anytime we get to go to the White House where you're being appreciated, you're being able to meet the President, the First Lady and I think for us, it's also going to close the chapter of the 2020 season. Because this is like the last thing that we're doing to really acknowledge that. We're just going to enjoy the experience.” Breanna Stewart added.
Jersey Count
The Storm were back in their green and white uniforms and picked up another win. They’re currently winning at an 80% clip while wearing their “Heroine” jerseys.
Records per jersey type this season:
Rebel: 4-3
Explorer: 5-2
Heroine: 8-2
Overall Record: 17-7
Up Next
The Seattle Storm (17-7) will face the Washington Mystics (8-13) at 12:00 PM local time on Sunday, August 22nd. The game will air on ESPN (Comcast/Xfinity Channel 173).
There is some speculation that this game will mark the return of Elena Delle Donne who has not played in a WNBA game since she won the title in Game 5 of the 2019 championship series. Delle Donne opted out of the 2020 pandemic season due to her high risk of Lyme disease. She also had another back surgery earlier this year which has kept her out of WNBA competition.
Even if Delle Donne doesn’t play on Sunday, the Storm will still have a tough matchup as Washington always tends to give Seattle problems. They beat the Storm earlier this year in Seattle with Tina Charles putting up 34 points in an 87-83 upset over the defending champions. Leilani Mitchell also knocked down five triples on her way to 19 points. Will Seattle be able to get their revenge this Sunday? We will find out.
Editor’s Note: Thank you for your support! If you know any Storm fans that aren’t currently aware of my coverage through Substack and Twitter (@WNBAStormChaser), please let them know. Word of mouth can be super helpful and is greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to drop comments in the section below. If there’s any part of the coverage you really enjoyed let me know. If you have questions on something, I’ll do my best to track down the answer and ask during media availability. Photo Credits to Neil Enns/Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography.