Storm outlast short-handed Wings 84-79
Storm outlast short-handed Wings 84-79
Seattle wins their 3rd game in a row and the second-straight over Dallas.
(Arlington, Texas) - The Storm did it again. It was a close hard-fought battle but Seattle came away with another victory, their third in a row. Seattle was able to do just enough to escape Dallas with an 84-79 victory.
In theory, it shouldn’t have been this difficult. Marina Mabrey was still out for this game as she continues to recover from Health & Safety protocols. Then at halftime, Arike Ogunbowale was ejected from the game for kicking the ball into the stands (more on that later). And during the 3rd quarter, Satou Sabally had a horrible-looking knee injury that forced her out of the rest of the game. The Wings were severely undermanned and still able to put up a great fight that came down to the final minute of the game.
“Dallas is tough. Their athleticism, their youth, their fight are all qualities that make these games really tough. I’m super proud of my team for weathering the storm and finding a way to pull out a victory on the road, that’s what matters. We continue to grow and get better. Obviously, we have some stuff to clean up before our next game but overall I’m proud of our group and our effort,” Coach Quinn said in her opening remarks to the media after the game.
Coach Quinn elaborated on how the team adjusted after Dallas lost both Arike and Satou during the game.
“Honestly, in times like that, it’s even more difficult because there are players that don’t normally make plays or get the playing time. When they get the opportunity they’re just going hard. At that point, it’s a little more difficult because knowing your game plan for certain players to be on the floor. Schemes have to change. McCowan plays. She hadn’t played against us in that capacity. Our mindset doesn’t change. It’s just adjusting as the game adjusts,” Quinn reiterated.
I spoke directly with Jewell Loyd on whether the game plan changed once they learned that Arike had been ejected from the game.
“We found out at halftime. The game plan was to execute everything we had planned before. Obviously, she’s not playing the whole game. When their rotations come in (different than before), we just had to follow our schemes. For us, we didn’t focus on who was on the court. We just wanted to compete, follow our schemes, and have no slips. We executed to the best of our ability and we did that tonight,” Loyd answered.
As we’ve seen through most of the season, it was Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd that carried the team to victory. Stewart led all scorers with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a blocked shot. Loyd added 22 points including connecting on 50% of her three-point attempts (4-8 FG).
The team desperately needs that third scorer to win games and this year that’s been Ezi Magbegor. The 22-year-old continues to shine in her third season in the WNBA. Magbegor finished this game with 13 points on 4-7 FG shooting including 2-3 FG from beyond the arc. She leads the WNBA in blocked shots per game and had another outstanding performance in that department with five blocks in this game.
Jewell Loyd spoke about Ezi’s continued development.
“Every game the confidence is building in her. She’s putting in a lot of work too. She’s staying late, getting extra shots up, watching film. We’re starting to see the effects of that. 5 blocks? That’s starting to be her norm. She’s so active. She’s also learning too, she’s so young. We see her listening to Stewie and the other post players and understanding what to do and execute. That’s just growth. That’s attributed to her surroundings but also her work behind the scenes.” She said.
While not as good as Friday, the Storm shot 47% (29-62 FG) from the floor and an impressive 44% (10-23 FG) from beyond the three-point line. They had a 23-18 advantage in assists and a 12-5 edge in fastbreak points. Most importantly, the Storm took care of the basketball.
On Friday, they committed 18 turnovers and Coach Quinn was not happy about that. On Sunday, they had just 10 turnovers that resulted in just five points for their opponent. They had 12 steals in the game and forced Dallas into 19 turnovers which they converted into 29 points. The 29 points off turnovers were a season-high for the team.
After the game, I spoke to Coach Quinn about their improvement in taking care of the ball.
“I think we did a lot better. We chopped down those live-ball turnovers. Then again, it’s just the timely ones. That’s the next step. Make sure every game, our goal is 12 or below. When we are in that range, we just have to make sure the ones that come late-game or come in a variety of different capacities that are crucial, we limit those as much as possible. Overall, I’m proud. Ten is a great number.” Quinn told me.
The Dallas Wings
Allisha Gray led the Wings with 20 points on 8-12 FG shooting including 4-6 from long distance. Gray really had to take over for her team after the first half with Arike being ejected from the game.
After Friday’s game, I wrote a lot about my confusion with the Dallas Wings not playing Teaira McCowan very much after acquiring her for their first-round draft pick this offseason.
On Sunday, that changed as she played 17 minutes in this game and played a large role for the team, especially in the 2nd quarter where she scored 11 of her 13 points. In total, she also had six rebounds and two blocked shots.
McCowan’s size (6’7”) and strength make her a load to defend and a monster on the offensive glass. Five of her six rebounds came on the offensive end giving her team multiple scoring opportunities.
After the game, I spoke with both Breanna Stewart and Coach Noelle Quinn regarding the difficulties of going up against McCowan, the problems she presents, and how they adjusted to her being on the floor.
“She’s tough. Obviously, giving up 46 points in the paint. The majority, we’re just trying to fight her. Use our strength and force to get around her and double-team her when possible. She’s tough. She’s strong. She’s physical. She’s around the basket. Prior to the first game, we prepped for her so it was a matter of going back to our details on how we prepared for her before that first game. Even so, she presents a difficult matchup. On the flip side of things, just trying to get her in ball screens. Get her off the floor, get our running game going. Our pace dropped when she entered the game and that affected us a little. Her ability to go get offensive rebounds, to contest us, and kick out. She is a tough matchup.” Coach Quinn answered.
“She’s tough. She’s a big five. When she carves out space, it’s hard to guard that when she’s so deep in the paint. She hadn’t played in the other two games like you said but we’ve always been prepared for her. Even when we bring the double, if she’s deep in the paint, it’s tough to stop that. I think overall, we did a pretty good job. When she’s in the game, their pace goes down a little bit. That’s when we want to focus on our transition game.” Stewie replied.
Satou Sabally played quite well in this game prior to suffering a knee injury late in the third period. Sabally finished with 13 points on 6-10 FG shooting, four rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes.
Ty Harris had a solid game with 10 points and a team-high six assists. Kayla Thorton didn’t have a great offensive game but led all players with 14 rebounds including five offensive boards.
Dallas actually outplayed Seattle in a lot of facets of the game and that’s why they nearly pulled off the upset despite being without several of their best players for the full game. They had a massive rebounding advantage of 39-23 including 14 to 5 on the offensive glass. They dominated the paint outscoring Seattle 46-26 inside the key.
Their bench also outscored Seattle’s 29-15 with McCowan’s 13 points being the biggest reason. This is now the seventh game in a row where the Storm’s reserves were outscored by the opposition. In total, they’ve been outscored in nine of the 13 games this year.
Coach Quinn received multiple questions after the game from other media members about the bench players including what can be done to help them.
“At times, trying to keep Stewie or Jewell in there with a different unit. A lot of times on the road, it’s trying to find something. For that unit, in particular, trying to keep things simple on offense, making sure we’re locked in defensively. We’re still trying to find a groove with that unit.” Quinn said.
When asked about the decisions to sub one or two players in versus doing complete line changes, she had this to say.
“Sometimes what happens over the course of a game, you have subs in there and there’s no stoppage in the game. So it looks as if we’re subbing 3 (plus) at a time. That’s not really the case. It’s a feel for the game. It depends on who’s rocking, who’s giving us something. Trying as best as possible to keep Stewie, Jewell, or Ezi on the floor. With the flow of the game, it just wasn’t possible during certain times of the game. If they can’t be, we’re trusting the 2nd unit to carry us for those minutes where we’re without them. I trust that. We have to get more confident in what we do and more chemistry. That comes with practice and time, we don’t have that. So we’re trying to develop that in the game.” Quinn replied.
Game Breakdown
Dallas started the game hot scoring on their first three possessions. This included a short jumper and a three-pointer by Kayla Thorton. Satou Sabally also converted a fastbreak layup. Ty Harris then scored after Ezi and Jewell had scored for Seattle to put Dallas up 9-4 two and a half minutes into the game.
Stewart had a beautiful defensive play where she stopped a two-on-one and then pushed the fastbreak that resulted in a layup for Loyd. Four straight points by Stewart helped cut the Wings’ lead down to one at 13-12.
Dallas converted multiple layups by Arike Ogunbowale and Awak Kuier.
Stephanie Talbot got the ball in the paint and had a nice turnaround jumper to score the final points of the quarter. The Wings led 19-18 at the conclusion of the first period.
Teaira McCowan checked into the game. It was her first time playing the Storm as in the first two games she was a DNP - Coach’s Decision. She immediately had an impact scoring four points to start the second quarter. She also got trapped and made a nice pass out of the double team to Jasmine Dickey for the wide-open jumper. Dickey then had another driving layup and was fouled by Epiphanny Prince to complete the AND1 layup. This gave Dallas a 28-21 lead, their largest of the game.
Fortunately, Seattle’s bench finally responded with Briann January hitting a three and then Jantel Lavender connecting on an outside jumper to cut the lead back down to two at 28-26.
Dallas fed the ball back into the low post and McCowan was able to convert the layup and was fouled.
Jewell Loyd came back after being knocked out of the game after receiving an accidental elbow to the head and neck area from Allisha Gray in the first quarter. When Loyd returned she immediately hit back-to-back three-point baskets to give Seattle a one-point lead.
Shortly after that, Allisha Gray and Breanna Stewart traded triples. Then McCowan and Stewart each finished the half with another pair of free throws. Dallas led by one after the first quarter and the Storm led by a single point at the midway point 39-38.
To begin the 2nd half, Jewell Loyd got to shoot a technical free throw after Arike Ogunbowale was ejected for kicking the ball into the stands at the end of the first half. Sadly Loyd missed the technical free throw.
Gabby Williams was able to recover on defense and get a steal. This led to a fastbreak by Breanna Stewart where she found a wide-open Sue Bird who drained the three to score the first points of the 2nd half.
Ezi then made a three in the corner off a Dallas turnover to put Seattle up seven at 45-38. Over the next three minutes, the Storm would outscore Dallas 12-9 to put Seattle up ten at 57-47. Loyd scored five of those points including a big three to put the Storm up double digits.
Vickie Johnson called timeout and after that Dallas made a good run. Allisha Gray was the primary factor in that. They went on a 14-5 run to cut the lead to just one at 62-61. Gray had ten of those points including a pair of threes.
Stewart scored four points to end the quarter with Seattle leading by five points at 66-61.
Mercedes Russell scored her only points of the game on a drive where she was fouled. She connected on both free throws. Ty Harris countered with a three to cut Seattle’s lead back down to four 68-64. Both teams battled back and forth over the next few minutes exchanging baskets.
A beautiful cut by Magbegor led to an easy two. Then she hit another three, her second of the game. That put the Storm up 76-68 with 6:20 left to go in the game. McCowan and Stewart swapped a pair of free throws again. Jewell got a key offensive rebound and made the mid-range jumper to keep the Storm up eight.
From there, Dallas would go on a 7-0 run. They got a couple of easy layups and Gray hit another three. The Wings had a chance to take the lead but Seattle was able to get a stop. Gabby had a great drive but missed it. Luckily, Stewart grabbed the ball and immediately put it back in as Seattle led 82-79 with just over a minute left to play.
Both teams missed layups at the end that could have swung the outcome of the game either way. Harris missed a layup and landed with the ball out of bounds giving the possession back to Seattle. With less than the 24-second shot clock remaining, all Dallas could do was foul. Seattle got the ball into Sue Bird, she was fouled, and she made both free throws to seal the game 84-79.
Additional Analysis
Arike Attitude Concerns?
Do the Dallas Wings need to be concerned with Arike’s attitude? Earlier this season, she missed a free throw in the final seconds of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks that cost her team the game. But after she missed the first free throw she tried to fake everyone out and forced all players into a lane violation because she didn’t release the shot. Unfortunately for her, that resulted in a lane violation for Dallas which meant she didn’t even get another attempt to purposefully miss and have a teammate get the rebound to potentially send the game into overtime. To compound the problem, after the lane violation was called on her (the shooter), she went over to the scorer’s table and kicked it extremely hard causing damage to the LED board. That resulted in a technical foul assuring her team would lose the ball game.
Fast Forward to Sunday’s game against Seattle. After making just 6-17 FG on Friday against the Storm Ogunbowale was struggling even more in the first half on Sunday. She had just two points on 1-7 FG shooting. She had been held completely in check by the defense of Gabby Williams and Jewell Loyd.
As Sue Bird heaved a half-court shot at the buzzer of the second quarter, the ball bounced off the backboard and Arike kicked the ball. It went just behind Breanna Stewart’s head and into the stands. It wasn’t the angriest kick I’ve seen but it was unnecessary nonetheless. You can watch the video from the clip below.
Per the WNBA rulebook any player that throws or kicks a ball into the stands is subject to be ejected from the game. That is the reason she was ejected even though she received just the one technical foul for the play.
Before the game was even over, Arike was claiming that she grew up a soccer player and this was normal for her to do. That she stops balls with her feet in practices and even in previous games. You can read her viewpoint here and check the tweet to see the entire thread (multiple tweets).
And after the game Dallas head coach Vickie Johnson was not pleased. She sounded disappointed and frustrated as she gave her comments on the incident.
“Another incident happened in LA as well. We’re not on a soccer field. We’re on a basketball court. You have to respect the game, PERIOD. Whatever the referee called, the call, I haven’t had a chance to look at it. But we play basketball with our hands, not our feet.” Vickie Johnson said.
I have no problem with Coach Johnson holding Arike accountable. As the team’s best player and leader, you have to lead by example. You can’t make these unnecessary mistakes. Especially, when the team needs you. With Dallas being without Marina Mabrey and losing Satou Sabally to injury late in the 3rd quarter, they still nearly won the game. Maybe they even do win the game if Arike isn’t ejected and she gets hot in the 2nd half.
The organization’s biggest move in the offseason was signing Ogunbowale to a three-year contract extension where she will be paid the supermax ($230K-$250K per season) in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She is the Wings’ franchise player and they are committed to her financially for the next four years (including this season).
It’ll be interesting to see how things play out if there are any more acts of immaturity that occur the rest of this season and what the team does if there are.
Jersey Count
The Storm were back in their green and white “Heroine” jerseys for Sunday’s contest against the Dallas Wings. With the victory, the team improves to 4-1 with this specific uniform combination. Seattle is now 8-5 on the season and has moved up to the 4th best record in the WNBA only behind the Las Vegas Aces (11-2), the Connecticut Sun (10-4), and the Chicago Sky (9-4).
Records per jersey type this season:
Rebel: 3-1
Explorer: 1-3
Heroine: 4-1
Overall Record: 8-5
Up Next
The Storm travel to Minnesota where they will face the Lynx (3-11) on Tuesday at 6:00 PM (local Seattle time). Minnesota is coming off a stunning loss to the Indiana Fever that actually dropped them to last place in the WNBA standings. This season has gone downhill quickly for the Lynx with injuries, players being cut from the team, and now Sylvia Fowles has suffered a knee injury and is out indefinitely. This is a game the team should win and need to capitalize on. After Minnesota, the Storm will face the Connecticut Sun and a surging New York Liberty team to finish up their five-game road trip.
Notes:
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Photo Credits to Neil Enns/Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography Team