Rookies Bring the Heat as Seattle Tops Phoenix 83-69

The Storm played their best game of the season to earn their 2nd win.

(Phoenix, Arizona) - That was the best this Seattle Storm (2-6) team has looked all season. They came out firing and never let up. Phoenix (2-6) never led in this game and Seattle led by as many as 21 points before finishing the game up 14. The Storm picked up their second win of the 2023 WNBA season by beating the Phoenix Mercury 83-69.

Four players scored in double figures and six players tallied eight points or more in the well-balanced effort. Sami Whitcomb came off the bench and knocked down six three-pointers and led the team in scoring with 18 points. Seattle started two rookies, Ivana Dojkić and Jordan Horston, and they combined for 27 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. They played a large role in Seattle’s victory.

Whitcomb talked about her strong performance after the game.

“Sometimes it’s rhythm and opportunities and minutes being played here and there. Sometimes you’re rushing shots as well. You do get into a little bit of a, probably not a slump, but you’re battling mentally more than anything. Because you know you can make them, you shoot them all the time, my whole career I have. I think you just have to remind yourself to stay confident and stay loose. Be confident in those opportunities when you get them. I need to maintain my aggressiveness with that and my confidence and hopefully this can be a game that can be the stepping stone for that.” Whitcomb told reporters during the post-game press conference.

Seattle shot 41% (21-79 FG) and 40% (12-30 FG) from beyond the arc. They out-rebounded the Mercury 38-32 and held a small edge in assists 21-19. They pulled down 10 offensive rebounds compared to the Mercury’s three. That was a big key after being out-rebounded by 10 in their most recent loss to the Washington Mystics.

“I’m super proud of our group today. I thought our defensive effort set the tone. To create some good looks for us on the offensive end of the floor. We got some good contributions from EV (Ivana), Sami off the bench, and Jordan with her activity really sparked us. I’m just happy to start the road trip off in this manner. And we’ll continue to keep this effort throughout the next day or two.” Coach Noelle Quinn said in her opening statement.

“We’re trending in the right direction. This team is still learning and growing in a lot of ways. But if we can have the activity level very high on the defensive end. Playing together and working with each other. Tonight was a balanced attack. This is the start of something that can grow into what I envision this team going.” She added.

Phoenix Mercury

Sophie Cunningham led the Mercury with 21 points. She brought some feist, hustle, and attitude to Phoenix. Sug Sutton continues to be one of the brightest stories for the Mercury. She finished with 15 points on 50% FG shooting, six rebounds, and four assists. Michaela Onyenwere added 10 points and four rebounds. And Shey Peddy contributed with nine points and a game-high seven assists off the bench.

Notably, Brittney Griner played just nine minutes in this game shooting 1-5 on her field goals and scoring just two points. Griner apparently injured her hip when coming down and possibly landing on Ezi Magbegor’s foot. She did not play in the second half of the game at all.

Phoenix shot slightly better overall at 42% (25-60 FG) but wasn’t as sharp from the three-point range connecting on 32% (6-19 FG). The Mercury held slight edges in fast break points (19-15) and points in the paint (32-30).

Game Breakdown

After a couple of defensive stops for each team, Jordan Horston picked up an offensive rebound and shot it over Brittney Griner inside the paint for the game’s first basket. Ezi was able to then drive past Griner for two.

Michaela Onyenwere knocked down a three-ball to put the Mercury on the board. Kia Nurse hit a three of her own.

Another offensive rebound, this time by Loyd, resulted in a quick putback layup to put the Storm up 9-3. The Storm would take a double-digit lead at 16-5 on an Ivana Dojkić layup.

Sophie Cunningham snuck behind Seattle’s defense multiple times and was able to get a couple of easy layups in transition.

Dojkić knocked down a triple to put the Storm back up ten at 21-11. The Mercury would finish the quarter on a 7-2 run. Seattle led 23-18 at the end of the first.

The Storm started the 2nd quarter on a 12-0 run. Loyd and Jade Melbourne each got layups. Horston knocked down a pair of free throws in between those. Then Sami Whitcomb knocked down back-to-back three-pointers.

Shey Peddy ended the run as she was able to get past Whitcomb on a hard physical drive. Sophie Cunningham was able to get her own offensive rebound and was able to draw a foul against Ezi. Sug Sutton then knocked down a deep jumper that helped Phoenix cut into Seattle’s lead.

Horston was all over the glass in the first half collecting seven rebounds including a couple of offensive rebounds. That was a trend that would continue throughout the evening.

Sug Sutton gave Phoenix a good boost off the bench in the second quarter scoring nine of the team’s 18 points in the period.

Seattle led 50-36 at the midway point.

Sophie Cunningham made a nice cut to score early in the 3rd quarter. Ivana Dojkić responded with a 32-foot three-pointer with the shot clock winding down. Seattle then forced a turnover and found Loyd wide-open cutting down the lane to put the Storm up 17 points.

After that, Phoenix went on an 8-0 run. Cunningham scored six of the eight points.

However, Seattle immediately responded with their own 8-0 run. Whitcomb knocked down back-to-back three-pointers. Her fourth in the game. Sami then executed a perfect pick and roll with Jordan making a nice no-look pass as Horston finished in the lane.

Both teams exchanged a couple of baskets and then Sami Whitcomb knocked down her 5th three-pointer of the game to put the Storm up 70-54 as the third period ended. Seattle outscored Phoenix 20-18 in the third quarter.

Ivana Dojkić intercepted a pass and raced down the court for two to begin the final ten minutes. Then Shey Peddy and Sami Whitcomb swapped three-pointers. Mercedes Russell then found Loyd open for a triple of her own to put the Storm up 21 points at 78-57.

The Mercury would score six straight from Onyenwere, Sutton, and Peddy. Seattle would regain their 20-point lead 83-63 after Jewell and Ezi made some free throws.

Phoenix finished the game by scoring the final six points. A free throw from Brianna Turner, a three-ball from Megan Gustafson, and a pair of free throws from former Storm guard Evina Westbrook capped off the scoring.

At the final buzzer, Seattle had won their 2nd game of the year 83-69.

Additional Analysis

Rookies Making an Impact!

Ivana Dojkić earned the first start of her career replacing Yvonne Turner as the team’s starting point guard. Dojkić was sharp from the jump scoring six points in the 1st quarter and finished the game with a new career-high of 14 points. It was her second game in a row in double figures as she scored 12 points on Sunday against the Washington Mystics. Ivana also tied with Jewell Loyd for a team-high four assists.

After the game, I spoke with Ivana about when she learned she’d be starting and how she evaluated her performance.

“I was trying to bring the things I like to do, give energy, stay focused on all the minutes I would be on the court. I found out yesterday (about starting), it was kind of surprising to me but I’m here to take every opportunity given to me. And I just want to give my best to help the team.” Dojkić stated.

First-Round pick, Jordan Horston continues to impress. She scored 13 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds. It was the first double-double of her young WNBA career. It was Jordan’s second start in as many games and it was her fourth consecutive game where she scored 10+ points.

I spoke with Jordan about her rebounding effort during the post-game press conference.

“I was just being more aggressive. I watched filmed and saw some plays where I wasn’t doing anything so I wanted to get better at that. Credit to them, but they didn’t really box out. I knew that it was going to be a great day for rebounding.” Horston told me.

Coach Quinn also praised her young rookies.

“I know we talk about EV (Ivana Dojkić) being a rookie but she’s played pro ball. Sometimes, I don’t look at her as a rookie even though she’s a rookie in this league. The confidence that she exudes. She did miss a week of training camp so it’s important to know that she’s rounding into who I know she can be. That is someone, offensively that is shooting the three, spacing the floor, getting us into our sets. Defensively, I thought she was very good today. Her activity level in the passing lanes; she sets the tone at that end of the floor.” Noelle stated.

“And then Jordan is rounding into shape. It’s about understanding what we’re doing. She’s trying so hard. Her effort is so hard. It helps in a lot of ways. We missed some coverages earlier on that got covered because of her activity level and her deflections. Her ability to read and see (on defense). As she continues to learn the game, once she gets comfortable in that area of the game where she isn’t thinking and she’s just hooping. We’ve seen what she can do on just pure talent - a double-double! I’m really impressed with how she’s coming along.” Quinn added.

Better Start!

Maybe it was the new starting lineup with Dojkić and Horston joining consistent starters, Kia Nurse, Ezi Magbegor, and Jewell Loyd. Maybe it was a greater emphasis during practices that the team needed to start games better. Something they have really struggled with this season. Whatever it was, Seattle raced out to an incredibly hot start taking a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintaining that through the first half.

After the game, I spoke with both Coach Quinn and Sami Whitcomb about what they saw from their improved first-half performance on Tuesday night.

“I like that we started the game with our focus and aggressiveness. We hit some shots that helped as well. We also spoke about this at half-time, we haven’t been in a situation where we are up like this; so how are we going to respond? How do we lock in? I think the biggest message from me today was to value all possessions moment by moment. Put together a 40-minute game. I thought the start really ignited us. We sustained that effort and we didn’t let our foot off the gas. That was really good to see. Now let’s continue to build off of that!” Coach Quinn told me.

“I thought our activity (to start the game) was a lot better. Usually, we see that activity in the 2nd half where we are a lot more connected, playing more uptempo, getting stops, and all of that. I thought we did a much better job of starting that way. Being the aggressors and setting the tone. I thought we were rewarded.” Whitcomb answered.

Taurasi Held Scoreless

Diana Taurasi simply didn’t have it in this game. She played 23 minutes and was held scoreless for just the 5th time in her career. She finished the game 0-6 FG and one ridiculous foul against Sami Whitcomb. Diana fell to the ground and was upset she didn’t get a foul called in her favor. Sami grabbed the rebound and as she tried to dribble the ball up the court, Taurasi just grabbed her leg to prevent her from getting out in transition.

DT didn’t look great out there. Possibly showing signs of being 41 years old and trying to keep up with players in their early 20s. Her shot wasn’t falling. She lost focus when calls didn’t go her way. And she looked lackadaisical on defense with minimal effort.

With that said, it’s not like she’s been terrible this year. Heading into Tuesday’s contest against the Storm, Taurasi was averaging 17.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 6.4 APG. To hold her to zero points, even at her age, is a major feather in the cap of Seattle’s defenders.

I spoke with Coach Quinn about that after the game.

“She is one of the best to ever do it if not THE best. Even at this stage of her career, she’s so deadly - from three, getting to the rim, and all of the other things that she encompasses as an amazing player. I thought our effort on her, starting with Kia, was very good. Being physical and our attentiveness to the details of her coverages and where she’s at on the floor. Always being in her space. To be able to have an effort like that and hold Diana to no points, I think that it’s really a confidence boost to this group.” Quinn told me.

Up Next

The Seattle Storm (2-6) travel to Viva Las Vegas to face the defending champions on Thursday at 7:00 PM. The Aces (8-1) continue to look sharp early on this season. After the Storm lost to Las Vegas by 41 points in the season opener, it’ll be interesting to see how much the team has improved since then.

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