Skylar Stars in LA, Storm Win 90-82

Diggins-Smith scored a game-high 26 points to lead Seattle to victory.

(Los Angeles, California) - It wasn’t pretty early on. The Storm trailed by 13 points against the team with the worst record in the WNBA. Trailing 32-19 with seven minutes left in the first half, the Storm finished the 2nd quarter on a 24-11 run. They used that momentum to outscore the Sparks by eight points over the final 20 minutes and win the game 90-82.

Coach Quinn spoke about her team’s early struggles and how they adjusted.

“I believe that at that point they had 22 points in the paint. They were out-rebounding us. And I just saw a team who had more energy than us. And it can't be the intangibles, like a team playing harder than us. us not being physical or not, you know, punching first, so to speak. I felt that we were a little bit lax with our coverages. And so we changed our coverages to be more physical, more aggressive. And I thought that helped a ton. You try to play scout and you try to play the averages, but sometimes physicality outweighs that because it gives us some momentum. And that's what happened today. We switched up our physicality and it helped us a ton.” Quinn stated.

Skylar Diggins-Smith also talked to me about how her team was able to rally.

“Yeah, I mean, this is a team, regardless of the record, this is a team that plays well at home. We know they beat New York, Vegas … competed with Connecticut so this is a team that plays well at home. We understand that and so we didn't get the start that we hoped for in the first quarter and like you said we got down double digits and we just didn't panic. We talked about it, came together, and said okay we can do some things in this game but we have to change right now and I thought we stepped it up defensively and to go on that run like you alluded to. We stepped up defensively and were able to get out in transition, kind of play and flow a little bit. And that's that's how we like to play. And then just trying to be more aggressive in the second half on our schemes. We felt like we were being tentative. Maybe when we didn't have to. But we started doing the more aggressive thing on the schemes. Ball screen wise was our adjustment there and just being more physical.” Skylar told me.

The Seattle Storm were led by Diggins-Smith who was exceptional yet again. Skylar finished with a game-high 26 points on a remarkable 77% (10-13 FG) shooting. She also had five assists, four steals, and three blocked shots.

Coach Quinn spoke about how Diggins-Smith can take over a game and praised her point guard.

“It's very elite. She definitely works on the shots. There is a different look in her eye. It's not just the playmaking ability, it's the defense. I'm super impressed with the four steals and the three blocks. A guard with her strength, the point guard position, able to do those things. But to me, when I see it, it's new for me because I've coached against it or played against it, but to see it and it be on our team, it's very impressive. The things that she's able to do on the floor, how she's able to make the team better, make the team go with her intensity, and just be very efficient. This is why she's elite. This is why she's one of the best in the league.” Quinn said.

Gabby Williams also complimented her teammate.

“In this game tonight, when she gets into takeover mode… I mean it's fun to watch. It's fun to watch and it's kind of like reassuring as her teammate when she gets into that zone. Like ‘All right we got someone who's carrying us’ and so especially in that second half, I was just trying to take the point guard responsibility a bit more so we can get her going. Maybe get a weaker defender on her just trying to find ways because no one was stopping her going downhill.” Williams added.

All five starters scored in double figures to carry the team. Beyond Diggins-Smith, Gabby Williams had another strong game with 17 points on 60% (6-10 FG) including 3-5 FG from beyond the arc. She also had four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Nneka Ogwumike finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Ezi Magbegor was just a strong. Ezi had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Magbegor also set a new Seattle Storm franchise record with 82 blocks in a single season surpassing Lauren Jackson’s record (81). Jewell Loyd rounded out the group with 12 points and five assists.

Gabby talked about getting into a good offensive flow.

“We were moving the ball really well. So that gave me a lot of pretty wide-open shots. And let me get into my rhythm there. Also, I think the way we were being aggressive on those switches helped me to get going too, because I like to get downhill as well and create for others. So when I'm able to play with someone who's switching, I can have the shot myself or I have the assist. So that helped me to get going too.” Williams answered.

The Storm lost a lot of the statistical categories in the game. More on that in the section below. They did have the advantage at the free throw line where they shot 95% (18-19 FT) and were a +7 in points at the line. Seattle also had better numbers on defense. They had the edge in blocks (10-3) and steals (11-5). The Storm also did a good job of protecting the basketball committing just six turnovers and giving up just three points off of their turnovers. Meanwhile, they forced LA into 13 turnovers and scored 14 points off of the Sparks’s errors.

Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks were led by one of the best rookies in the WNBA, Rickea Jackson. Jackson finished with 22 points on better than 50% field goal shooting (8-15 FG). She also had seven rebounds and three assists.

Gabby talked about Jackson’s performance after the game.

“She's tough. I mean, I felt like I was… she made some tough shots. Like I felt like I was defending her well. And that's something as a defender, you just have to say it's like good defense for better offense. But the most we can do is just make it difficult for her. But she's got a bright future. I mean, she did a lot of great things tonight. So definitely looking out for her.” Williams said.

Three other starters also reached double figures. Azurá Stevens was the only player to have a double-double in this game with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Odyssey Sims finished with 16 points and a game-high six assists. Rae Burrell added 14 points on 50% (5-10 FG) shooting. However, she did miss three critical free throws in the 4th quarter with the game on the line.

The Storm did a good job limiting Dearica Hamby to just six points and six field goal attempts in the game.

Despite losing the game, Los Angeles did play well. They outshot the Storm 49% (32-65 FG) to 47% (33-70 FG). They were also better from beyond the arc as they made 41% (7-17 FG) of their three-point attempts compared to Seattle who made 32% (6-19 FG). LA out-rebounded the Storm 38 to 27. They also scored more points in the paint with a 48 to 40 advantage. The Sparks had a 10-4 edge in second-chance points as well.

Game Breakdown

The Los Angeles Sparks quickly got out to a 5-0 lead as Rae Burrell hit a jumper and Azurá Stevens made a corner three. Nneka Ogwumike responded with her own personal 5-0 run to tie the game. Dearica Hamby and Gabby Williams exchanged layups. Odyssey Sims scored on a layup and Burrell hit another jumper. Nneka scored again to cut LA’s lead down to two at 11-9.

Rickea Jackson scored an AND1 layup. Jewell Loyd connected on a jumper. Ezi Magbegor scored at the rim but Jackson countered with another shot on the other end. Jackson led the Sparks in the first with seven points.

After a Dearica Hamby layup, the Storm trailed 20-13. Ezi made a baseline drive floater. Azurá countered with another three-ball. At the end of the first period, the Sparks led the Storm 23-15.

The Sparks opened up the second quarter with a 7-2 run to expand their lead to 13 points at 30-17. Stevens and Stephanie Talbot each scored on a layup and then Stevens also knocked down a three-pointer. Jordan Horston was fouled and made both free throws. Gabby Williams hit a jump shot. After an Odyssey Sims bucket, Gabby drilled a corner three.

Kia Nurse split a pair of free throws. Skylar Diggins-Smith made back-to-back baskets but Nurse responded with another triple for LA. Both teams hit a couple more threes with Gabby getting another and Stevens making her fourth of the game. Seattle responded with a 7-0 run as Skylar, Jewell, and Nneka all scored. The Storm got five more points from Gabby including another three-ball. Sims scored on a drive to the rim.

After trailing by 13 points, the Storm rallied to tie the game 41-41 at the midway point. Seattle finished the second quarter on a 12-2 run over the final three and a half minutes of the first half. Gabby scored 13 points in the second quarter to lead the rally.

The Storm took their first lead of the game to begin the 3rd period as Ezi Magbegor caught a pass down low and finished at the rim. Rickea Jackson countered with a three-pointer. Jewell Loyd cashed in on a triple to regain the lead. Diggins-Smith then scored back-to-back baskets to put the Storm up six at 50-44.

Dearica Hamby and Odyssey Sims each scored inside the paint to cut Seattle’s lead down to two. Skylar then got an AND1 on a running floater through contact. Sims scored with two more layups. The second came off an offensive rebound with most of Seattle’s team moving up the court without the ball. No one was playing defense and Sims cut open to the rim for two. Coach Quinn called a timeout after that.

Out of the timeout, Ezi made a midrange jumper. The Sparks got whistled for a defensive 3-second violation. Loyd sank the free throw. Nneka then got fouled on a drive to the rim. She landed awkwardly and briefly held her knee but got up quickly and made both free throws.

Rae Burrell and Odyssey Sims each scored layups and then Rickea Jackson was fouled and made both free throws. LA’s 6-0 run tied the game at 58-58. Magbegor grabbed an offensive rebound and finished with the short jumper in the paint. Azurá Stevens got loose down low and tied the game again.

Seattle went on their own 6-0 run as Magbegor hit another jumper. Then Skylar faked a three and drove to the rim for two. Then on the next possession hit a midrange baseline jumper. That finished up the third period with the Storm leading 66-60.

Rickea Jackson scored to start the fourth quarter. Azurá Stevens was fouled by Jordan Horston right before the buzzer and made both free throws. Odyssey Sims and Jackson each got layups as the Storm continued to miss shots. The Sparks started the period on an 8-0 run to regain the lead by two. Coach Quinn called another timeout to bring some of her starters back into the game.

Seattle got the ball into Nneka who scored right away. Rickea Jackson was fouled and made both of her free throws. Diggins-Smith then forced contact on the other end and made both of her foul shots to tie the game at 70-70. Jackson made another power drive to the rim.

Diggins-Smith evened things up with a pull-up jumper near the free throw line. Seattle got a steal and then Skylar found Sami in transition as Whitcomb buried the three-ball. The quick 5-0 burst forced Los Angeles to call a timeout.

Rae Burrell and Ezi Magbegor swapped baskets. Burrell was then fouled on the drive and made both free throws to cut Seattle’s lead down to one. SDS made a jumper. Nneka made a fancy reverse layup past multiple defenders. Skylar was fouled on a shot and split the pair of free throws. Burrell was fouled but missed both critical free throws.

Dearica Hamby turned it over and the Sparks were then forced to foul to extend the game. Loyd made a pair of free throws. So did Gabby. Burrell missed another free throw but made her second attempt. Rae Burrell did hit a smooth three-pointer but at that point, Seattle led by nine after making all of their free throw attempts. Diggins-Smith was fouled one last time with less than 10 seconds to go and made her free throws.

Seattle’s excellent free throw shooting, especially down the stretch, secured the victory for the Storm. Seattle won the game 90-82.

Final Box Score

Additional Analysis

Playoff Position Update

There were two important games on Wednesday that directly affected the Seattle Storm and their playoff position. The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 86-75. And then the Storm beat the LA Sparks 90-82. With those two outcomes, the Storm are guaranteed to finish no worse than the 5th seed this season. The Indiana Fever can’t finish ahead of Seattle due to the Storm owning the tiebreaker.

However, Seattle can still move ahead of the Las Vegas Aces to claim the 4th overall seed but they will need some help. The Storm are currently one game behind the Aces for that important home-court advantage in the first round. Seattle and Las Vegas play against each other one more time on Tuesday, September 17th in Seattle. That game will be a must-win for the Storm if they want any chance to move ahead of the Aces.

I believe that even if the Storm do win that game, they still need the Aces to lose one other additional game more than Seattle the rest of the way due to tiebreakers favoring Las Vegas. The Aces have four games remaining on their schedule. They play at Indiana, home against Connecticut, at Seattle, and home against Dallas. Meanwhile, Seattle plays at Dallas, home against Los Angeles, home against Las Vegas, and at Phoenix.

There is the slightest chance that Seattle could still surpass the Connecticut Sun for the third overall seed in the playoffs, but that can only happen if Connecticut loses all four of their remaining games and Seattle wins all four of theirs. It’s almost impossible but mathematically until either the Sun win another game or the Storm lose another game, there is still a chance.

Seattle can not finish ahead of the Minnesota Lynx (27-9) or the New York Liberty (30-6).

I spoke with both Skylar Diggins-Smith and Coach Noelle Quinn about the final stretch run and asked if they were scoreboard-watching at all. And how they prepare for these final games.

“I think personally we're just focusing on what we can do as far as Seattle goes and just trying to execute our game plan from game to game. Trying to win and just control what we can control. Haven't been doing a ton of scoreboard watching, to be honest, but just trying to prep and, bottle up some good things that we've been doing so we can try to have a carryover and just continue to improve from game to game. But I think at this point of the season the chips are going to fall where they may, and we just have to do our part and try to win games and get better.” Diggins-Smith explained.

Coach Quinn talked about the scoreboard watching of other playoff teams that could affect them.

“As coaches, we have to. But I don't mention it to our players as much because I think we have to worry about ourselves. We're in a position where we can't control our own destiny anymore. So we have to control our controllables and take one game at a time. We can't worry about what other teams are doing. We can definitely worry about what we're doing. And so that's just our focus. Our next opponent is Dallas. So we have to lock into that, knowing that, they have a lot of firepower and they're playing with some pride. So no game is going to be easy going down the stretch. But our preparation matters and our mindset matters as well.” Quinn replied.

Beyond Seattle, the New York Liberty will likely finish with the #1 overall seed but can still finish 2nd if they lose all their remaining games and Minnesota wins all of their final games. The Lynx can finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the standings. Over the next week, they play two critically important games against New York and Connecticut.

Connecticut can finish between 2nd and 5th in the standings. With their most likely scenarios being 2nd or 3rd. Meanwhile, Las Vegas can finish 3rd, 4th, or 5th with their best odds of finishing 4th.

After losing on Thursday, the Indiana Fever can finish no better than the 6th overall seed but also no worse than the 7th seed. They also own the tiebreaker over Phoenix so they are essentially 2.5 games up on the Mercury with 3 games to play. Indiana will almost certainly be the 6th seed. Similar to Seattle and Connecticut, they’d need to lose all of their games and have Phoenix win all of their games to swap positions at this point. With that, the Mercury are likely locked into the 7th seed.

The 8th and final playoff spot is down to three teams as both the LA Sparks and Dallas Wings have officially been eliminated from the postseason. The Chicago Sky have the inside track and currently sit in that final playoff spot with their 13-23 record. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics are both tied and one game behind Chicago with a 12-24 record.

Interestingly enough, in their final four games, the Dream play the Mystics twice and then host Chicago before facing the Liberty in their final game. There is a good chance that if either Washington or Atlanta wins both games against their opponent, that team will likely earn the 8th seed. If they split the two games, then Chicago might be the favorite to stay in that spot.

The Sky have a very difficult closing schedule. They play at Minnesota, home against Phoenix, at Atlanta, and at Connecticut.

Meanwhile, the Mystics, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games, split a home/away series against Atlanta, host the Liberty, and host the Fever to close out the season. Washington could luck out in their final two games as it’s possible neither New York nor Indiana will have anything to gain and may rest some of their star players.

It should be a fun final week to the regular season and it’ll be interesting to see if we have any movement in playoff seeding before the post-season begins.

Rickea Jackson Could Have Been a Storm

I’ve long wondered who the Seattle Storm were going to select in the 2024 WNBA Draft had they kept their 4th overall pick instead of trading it away to Los Angeles. Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso went one, two, three in the draft and were off the board. That left players like Rickea Jackson, Aaliyah Edwards, Angel Reese, and Jacey Sheldon still available. Of those four, Jackson was the most talented offensive player remaining.

The Storm struggled a lot with scoring last season after losing Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, and even Tina Charles from the 2022 roster. Jackson would have been able to provide a necessary scoring punch.

While it was certainly possible, the Storm could have taken Aaliyah Edwards due to the team’s connection to UConn players in the past or the fact that Coach Noelle Quinn has worked with Edwards on Canada’s National team. Or maybe they would have taken Angel Reese. If WNBA GMs had known how well Reese’s game was going to translate she probably would have gone higher than 7th overall. But it feels like most WNBA General Managers had serious doubts that she’d be able to score and rebound like she did in college. Lastly, had the Storm not signed Diggins-Smith in the off-season, they may have considered Sheldon to become the team’s next point guard.

With all of that said, Rickea Jackson made the most sense. She was a very talented scorer in college who can play at either Forward position. And I asked Coach Noelle Quinn what she thought about Rickea Jackson coming out of college. She gave a pretty revealing answer.

“Can I say this? (Quinn looks to others off-camera)… If we were to have kept our pick, I would love to have her on our team. In college, she was very versatile. And in college, I would say that her handle wasn't that sharp. But to see what she's doing at this level, she's really worked on her game and she's been very effective, whether it's playing a three or a forward. The three-ball wasn't as consistent in college but it's been very consistent in the pros. Her ability to shoot over anybody in the paint that's always been a thing because of her size. But you know she's a pro, we saw that in college that she was a pro and it's showing with her efficiency on the floor and her ability to really attack any matchup. She's really progressing.” Quinn told me.

It sure sounds like the team was prepared to take Rickea Jackson had they kept their lottery pick. That would have been pretty neat as they had taken her teammate from Tennessee, Jordan Horston, the year before. It would have been a lot of fun to see those two reunited on the same team.

However, as we know, Seattle traded away their lottery pick to shed the contract of Kia Nurse. They needed to free up more money in the salary cap to sign both Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. It was almost essentially a sign-and-trade to acquire Ogwumike from the Sparks.

The team had to give up on the potential of Jackson to get the sure thing in Nneka and Skylar. And let’s not forget that the Storm do own the Los Angeles Sparks’s 2026 first-round pick as part of this deal. We know LA has the worst record in the WNBA this season (7-30). It’ll be very interesting to see what the team is like next season. If they miss the playoffs again, the Storm will be rewarded a top lottery selection.

That could even be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. However, because of the new expansion teams coming in, Golden State, Toronto, and possibly Portland, a lottery pick in 2026 could also be 7th overall or not nearly as valuable as the original pick Seattle traded away. Only time will tell on that.

Up Next

The Storm (22-14) will travel to Texas to face the Dallas Wings (9-27) at 4:30 PM PDT on Friday, September 13th. The Storm have won all three previous meetings against the Wings this season. Seattle won 92-84, 97-76, and 95-71. It’s been a disappointing season for the Wings who finished with the 4th best record and reached the WNBA Semi-Finals a year ago. This will be the first game against the Storm where the Wings will have star forward Satou Sabally. Sabally is averaging nearly 18 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 5.0 APG since returning to the Wings after the Paris Olympics.

Notes:
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