Sparks Spoil Jewell Loyd Day 91-89

Jewell Loyd sets the All-Time WNBA record with 939 points.

(Seattle, WA) - It didn’t take long. After Breanna Stewart’s disappointing final game performance where she scored just nine points on 4-17 FG shooting, it took Jewell Loyd less than four minutes to set the WNBA’s All-Time single-season scoring record. Loyd exploded out of the gate scoring 17 points in the first quarter including 11 in the first three and a half minutes.

Loyd finished the game with 28 points and the season with 939 points. As the season was coming to an end, Jewell didn’t want to talk about the record. Once the season was over, she finally shared some words about this incredible accomplishment.

“That wasn’t a goal of mine at all coming into this season. Even hearing about it and talking about, it was never a goal of mine. It kind of just happened naturally. I think it’s pretty cool. I missed two games and was still able to produce the way I was producing. It’s kind of how I say thanks to my trainers back home and my teammates and for everyone that was supportive of the journey because it wasn’t easy to do what I was doing. Quite frankly, no one else was doing it. It was pretty cool. Maybe I’ll feel more about it after but right now it’s just me and being proud of everyone around me.” Loyd said

Besides Loyd, Ezi Magbegor had another strong game with 16 points on 7-11 FG shooting. Including 2-2 from beyond the three-point arc. Ezi’s impact wasn’t just in scoring. She finished with eight rebounds and a career-high seven assists. I spoke with Coach Quinn about what she saw from her talented young post player.

“She was the playmaker out of a lot of those ball screen reads. I think she has grown tremendously in that area. Earlier on this season she would have turned the ball over a little bit more coming out of those plays. I thought her ability to read a little bit more from their aggressiveness was a positive. Overall, I thought she was assertive. She was physical. I thought she had a good presence about herself.” Coach Quinn said.

Kia Nurse finished with 18 points off the bench. Her second strong performance in a row. Hopefully, Seattle will see that more consistently in 2024.

The Storm outshot the Sparks 49% (32-65 FG) to 44% (34-77 FG). They led the majority of the game but committed too many turnovers and gave up the lead late. They had eight turnovers in the third quarter and 13 of their 21 in the 2nd half.

With the loss, the Storm fell to 11-29 (.275) on the season. From a win percentage standpoint, it was the second-worst season in franchise history only better than the inaugural season where they finished 6-26 (.188) in the year 2000.

I asked Coach Quinn her overall thoughts on the season.

“I thought that our team was extremely competitive this year. I thought the locker room kept really tight. Chemistry and comradery were amazing. It was a joy to be with this team every single day. I thought that we grew from Day 1 to now. Think about the young players, the rookies who got reps. Maybe they wouldn’t have gotten reps if this team was different. Overall, I’m happy that we didn’t surrender or die. I’m happy that we played hard every single game. That’s what I’m most proud of.” Coach Quinn told me.

Jewell Loyd also talked about it after the game.

“A lot of it is individual growth. A lot of us have to get healthy. Health was a big factor for us. We want to get better and we want to grow. For a team where expectations weren’t too high, we did what we wanted to do. We saw growth from every single person down the stretch. Everyone finished the season really well. Hopefully, that’ll carry over to the off-season. We’ll have exit meetings tomorrow and the coaches will give us stuff to work on. I think overall, the mindset of this team coming into next season will be different.” Loyd stated.

I asked Jewell what part of the season was most rewarding to her.

“This team, we never separated the whole season. We were very connected all season. That’s unique. I’ve been on really good teams where we did not get along. This team was so connected in different ways. The impact I had on each and every person on this roster was mind-blowing for me. Not knowing I had that impact until they were telling me this or texting me later. You just see the growth in each person and that’s rare. For it to be this organic with a team that’s never been together. We are all new. We feel so close. That’s been the joy of this season!” Loyd told me.

Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks were led by Nneka Ogwumike who finished with 22 points on 9-15 FG and six rebounds. Layshia Clarendon finished with 14 points and six assists. Clarendon was a huge part of LA’s run in the fourth quarter scoring five points, forcing turnovers, and jump balls.

“(She was) aggressive downhill to the rim attacking. She was physical when she guarded Jewell. It wasn’t just her but the whole team when they were guarding Jewell. But she was way more assertive in those moments.” Quinn stated.

Jordin Canada also scored 14 points and had a team-high seven assists. Azurá Stevens nearly had a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. And Zia Cooke gave them a nice spark off the bench with 14 points.

Los Angeles out-rebounded Seattle 38-33. Their defense really picked up after the first period especially over the final 20 minutes. The Sparks finished with 16 steals! They forced the Storm into 21 turnovers and scored 27 points off of those costly mistakes. They dominated inside the paint outscoring Seattle 54-38. They also had a huge edge in second-chance points 20-8.

Game Breakdown

After the Sparks jumped out to a 4-0 lead it quickly became the Jewell Loyd show. Loyd knocked down five of her first six shots including going 4-4 from beyond the arc. During that span, the Storm used a 16-0 run to take a 19-7 lead. Zia Cooke finally stopped Seattle’s run with a drive to the rim.

After a pair of free throws by Loyd, Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston both had nice aggressive drives to the rim to put Seattle up 25-10. The Sparks did a better job of finishing the quarter outscoring Seattle 7-5 over the final three minutes.

Cooke hit a jumper. Jasmine Thomas made a nice drive to the rim. And Dearica Hamby was able to grab an offensive rebound that led to an AND1. Joyner Holmes knocked down a triple to conclude the quarter. At the end of the first, Seattle led 30-17.

Kia Nurse knocked down back-to-back three-pointers early in the second period to extend the Storm’s lead to 19 doubling the Sparks at 38-19. Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Rae Burrell each scored layups to cut the lead down to 15 forcing Coach Quinn to call a timeout.

Jewell Loyd scored on a floater into the lane and Kia Nurse finished an AND1 layup a couple of plays later. However, the Sparks continued to make their push by getting out in transition. Jordin Canada got a steal and scored. Layshia Clarendon hit a corner three and then a layup. Canada then hit a three and Clarendon scored again as part of an 18-3 run by the Sparks.

Sami was able to slow their momentum with a three-ball of her own. Kia Nurse then finished with an AND1 at the rim to put the Storm back up 10. Jewell was able to score at the rim and then LA finished the half with three free throws. At the midway point, the Storm led 53-44.

Sami Whitcomb began the third period with a strong drive to the rim where she was fouled and completed the AND1 play. Nneka Ogwumike scored on a couple of layups. Mercedes Russell lofted a floater in. Then Ezi connected on a three-pointer when she was left open on the wing.

Jordan Horston scored a traditional three-point play by attacking the lane and getting hip-checked. She made the free throw. Azurá Stevens got to the foul line multiple times and made all four free throws. Loyd then made a nice cut to the basket, got spun around, and still made the layup. She made the free throw as well for the AND1 to put the Storm up a dozen at 67-55.

Nneka made another layup and Canada was able to snatch another steal in the open court that resulted in an easy two. Rae Burrell scored on a nice move to the rim. Zia Cooke then knocked down a three with Jewell’s hand in her face. Jordin then drove to the lane and made a nice fadeaway inside the paint to spur on a 7-0 run by the Sparks. That cut the Storm’s double-digit lead down to six at 75-69.

Kia Nurse was fouled right at the buzzer of the third from beyond the arc. Nurse made all three free throws. Seattle led 78-71 entering the final frame.

Jordan Horston made a nice drive and scored off the window to begin the 4th quarter. Layshia Clarendon finished with a physical drive to the rim through contact for the AND1. Stevens made a pair of free throws. Loyd hit a dribble pull-up. Cooke was able to score on another layup.

Horston grabbed a critical offensive rebound. She passed it back out to Whitcomb who buried the three-ball to put the Storm back up nine at 87-78. Cooke got another pair of free throws. Jasmine Thomas hit a shot from beyond the arc. Then Stevens scored in the paint to make it a two-point game at 87-85.

Zia Cooke cut Seattle’s lead down to one with a transition AND1. The Sparks then took the lead after Clarendon stole the ball and after an offensive rebound on the other end was able to score on a putback layup. Loyd had an opportunity to win the game but missed the shot. Seattle gave up an offensive rebound and was forced to foul. Jasmine Thomas made one of two free throws giving the Storm one final chance to send the game into overtime.

Coach Quinn drew up a smart play that used Loyd as a decoy and allowed Ezi to get a free look near the rim. With very little time remaining, Magbegor had to pull up for a short shot before the buzzer went off. The shot fell short and Seattle lost the game 91-89.

Additional Analysis

Mamba Makes History

Jewell Loyd finished the season with 939 points. She finished ahead of Breanna Stewart (919) and A’ja Wilson (912). Those three players are now the only players in league history to score 900 points or more in a single WNBA season. They certainly won’t be the last.

What makes Loyd’s scoring even more impressive is the fact that she did it in two fewer games than Stewie or A’ja. Both of them played in all 40 games this year. While Loyd ended up playing in 38 total games. Jewell shattered Diana Taurasi’s previous record thanks to those extra games, breaking the original record by nearly 80 points.

Not only did she set the new record in fewer games than her rivals but she did it while constantly being double and triple-teamed all season long. While Stewart and Wilson saw their fair share of defensive pressure. No player was put under more pressure with traps, high hedges, double teams, etc. than Loyd.

And while Taurasi still owns the record for the highest average in a single season with 25.29 PPG in 2006. Loyd’s 24.7 PPG now ranks 2nd highest in WNBA history! Better than Taurasi’s 24.12 PPG in 2008. Better than Maya Moore’s 23.88 PPG in 2014. Jewell was better than Lauren Jackson’s 23.84 PPG in 2007. Better than Elena Delle Donne in 2015 (23.39), Tina Charles in 2021 (23.37 PPG), or even Katie Smith in 2001 (23.09 PPG).

A who’s who list of the greatest scorers in WNBA history. Jewell was essentially better than all of them.

Team Needs

While I plan to do a much more in-depth deep dive in the upcoming months as we lead into WNBA Free Agency in late January and February, I did briefly speak with Coach Noelle Quinn after the team’s final game of 2023 to figure out what the team needs moving forward.

“We need a starting point guard. We also need another complimentary player alongside Jewell. Another scorer. More physicality in the paint. We lacked those things this year. Just trying to figure out our point guard rotation and overall consistently keeping teams out of the paint. Or aggressively, having that post player and post presence. Those are things that I think about. Athletically, making sure we shore up the defensive side of the ball. A lot of things Jeff! But I would start with the point guard and another playmaker.” Coach Quinn told me.

If the team is going to compete next season, they will need to make a big splash in Free Agency. If the rebuild process is going to take some more time (more on that in a future article), then their biggest move will likely come from their top draft pick.

I also spoke with Noelle about how they will approach scouting knowing the team is guaranteed a Top 4 lottery selection.

“We have to do a lot more due diligence and understand that this is a very good draft. This wasn’t a bad year to be bad honestly to get us in the position that we want. Be very mindful, that first comes Free Agency and that can affect who we then draft. I’m excited to be following a lot of top players this year. And I’m excited to be looking at overseas prospects as well. Just diving in deeper into the process because this pick could be a generational talent. This pick has the ability to really jump-start our building so it’s important.” Quinn added.

Regarding the point guard position. Skylar Diggins-Smith stands out as a possible option Seattle should explore. Diggins-Smith was the main reason the Phoenix Mercury were a playoff team last season and her absence this season was noticeable on their roster. Things didn’t work out well for SDS with the former Mercury coach or the organization but there is no doubt that she’s an incredibly talented player.

Diggins-Smith crosses off two check boxes for the Storm. She would instantly move into the starting Point Guard role as she can run an offense effectively. But she is also an extremely talented scorer. She could take pressure off Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor by being another legitimate scorer night in and night out.

While Jewell Loyd set a scoring record, I think everyone would admit that the team relied far too heavily on Loyd’s point production. And honestly, it’s not a winning formula. Now that we know Jewell will be back in 2024 and 2025, the team needs to add more pieces around her. Pieces that can make a difference.

Regarding another post presence. There are certainly players on paper who will be Unrestricted Free Agents like Jonquel Jones, Brionna Jones, Nneka Ogwumike, Stefanie Dolson, etc. I’m not sure how many of those players would seriously consider leaving their current teams but it never hurts to make a phone call or two.

I think the post is more likely to be addressed via the WNBA Draft but we’ll just have to wait and see.

WNBA Playoff Matchups

While the Storm’s season unfortunately comes to an end. We should have some thrilling moments in the post-season with these eight teams. The Las Vegas Aces will host the Chicago Sky in the 1/8 matchup. The New York Liberty may have the toughest first-round opponent as they’ll go up against the Washington Mystics in the 2/7 series. The Dallas Wings will host the Atlanta Dream in the 4/5 matchup and lastly, Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynd will return to Connecticut to face the Sun in a battle between the 3/6 seeds.

I’ll be glued to the television for that matchup in New York between the Liberty and the Mystics. D.C. beat the Liberty during the first game (80-64) of the WNBA season and the last game of the regular season (90-88). But can they do it again in the playoffs?

Overall, I lean towards favoring the New York Liberty to win the entire thing. But there is no doubt in my mind that they arguably will have the toughest path to get it done. Assuming they take down the Washington Mystics in the opening round. They would most likely see the Connecticut Sun in the second round (semi-finals), and then the defending champions - the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals.

The Aces should sweep the Sky away in the first round. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see Connecticut do the same. I am intrigued by the Dallas/Atlanta matchup. Allisha Gray will return to Dallas after being traded away and look to pull off a major upset in Big D. Can they pull it off? We’ll find out a lot more this upcoming Wednesday!

Final Notes:
First, just a big THANK YOU to all my paid subscribers. This was a tough year for me from a growth perspective but I am incredibly grateful for all the support that I do get. It helps keep me going when I’m working multiple double shifts and 14-16 hour work days. I’m really proud of my Storm and WNBA coverage and will continue to look for ways to improve and provide even more content. I posted more podcasts and audio interviews this season and hope to continue that moving forward. I plan to continue to cover the rest of these WNBA Playoffs through my Around the W articles likely summarizing the games of each round. I should have some more end-of-season content over the next couple of weeks as well. Keep checking your inbox for those. Be good to each other and much love!

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