Storm Clouds Cover the Sun 72-61

Seattle's defense held strong in a big win.

(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Storm celebrated their 25th Anniversary with one of their best victories against the league’s top team in the WNBA standings, the Connecticut Sun. After another slow start, Seattle scored just eight points in the first quarter. However, this time they bounced back outscoring Connecticut 26-17 in the second period and 64-47 through the final three quarters of the game. It led to an impressive defensive win with a final score of 72-61.

All five starters scored in double figures for Seattle. Jewell Loyd led the way with 16 points, five assists, and five rebounds. Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith each added 13 points. Diggins-Smith had a game-high eight assists as well. Ezi Magbegor nearly had a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Horston, who got her first start of the year, added 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

Ezi Magbegor talked about matching Connecticut’s physicality in this game.

“Yeah, I think it was really important. Just playing on our front foot early on, we were able to sustain that throughout all four quarters. And I think we did a great job of that defensively. It's something that we kind of pride ourselves on. I think Jordan did a good job in leading that today, just with her matchup, and that kind of just translated throughout the whole game. We knew they were going to be a physical team, and so it was just about sustaining that.” Magbegor said.

Seattle outshot Connecticut 42% (27-64 FG) to 37% (25-67 FG). Neither team shot the three-ball well but the Storm made two more from deep. The home team was much better at the free throw line where the Sun really struggled. Seattle made 14-16 FT while the Sun made only 9-17 FT (53%). The Storm had a 44-40 edge with points in the paint. They also outpaced Connecticut 12-6 in fast break points.

After the game, the Storm celebrated their 25th Anniversary by honoring some of the team’s top players from the past and present. Mercedes Russell, Sami Whitcomb, Ezi Magbegor, and Jewell Loyd were all honored. Along with other greats like Tamika Johnson, Betty Lennox, Crystal Langhorne, Simone Edwards, Tina Thompson, Noelle Quinn, and Sue Bird.

The official Top 5 as voted on by the fans were Swin Cash (5th), Breanna Stewart (4th), Jewell Loyd (3rd), Lauren Jackson (2nd), and Sue Bird (1st). Alysha Clark, Ezi Magbegor, Simone Edwards, Tanisha Wright, and Natasha Howard rounded out the Top 10.

After the game Coach Noelle Quinn talked about the ceremony.

“It's a shout-out to our owners, they made a major decision in keeping the Storm afloat. And look where we are now because of their investment, because of their love for the game and their love for and their passion for basketball and growing the game and specifically investing in women/women's sport. I saw Tina Thompson today. You guys know, a really great friend. But someone like her, I stand on her shoulders because you think about her, a four-time champ. And when she came to play in Seattle she worked so hard and her legacy remains because she poured, her blood, sweat, and tears into this game of basketball. And that's what it's all about. That's what this organization is from Sue to Lauren to now our current; Jewell is carrying that torch. We have a responsibility to make sure everything is intact, respect the game, play the right way, work very, very hard because we have fans who appreciate the game. We have ownership who is very invested in us and we have players and staff who want to be the best version of themselves and I think the game is in great hands. If you look at the stars, the young stars in this league, basketball is put first. And they are really understanding that they have a platform and a responsibility to make sure Tina's legacy and all the people who came before us are honored in the way in which they play and approach the game of basketball.” Quinn stated.

Connecticut Sun

Connecticut struggled on offense in this game. Seattle’s defense was stingy and limited them to just three players in double figures. Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones led the team in scoring; each had 14 points. Thomas also had 14 rebounds, the most of any player in the game. Ty Harris added 10 points but did not shoot the ball well. She finished 3-10 FG including just 1-6 FG from beyond the arc.

Harris wasn’t the only player to struggle offensively. DeWanna Bonner was held in check by Jordan Horston. Bonner finished with just nine points on 4-13 FG. Like Harris, she was just 1-6 FG from the three-point line. DiJonai Carrington was another Connecticut player who struggled. She had just two points making just one of her seven field goal attempts. Bonner and Carrington combined for just 11 points in the game. Those two players normally average nearly 30 points combined. To be held to just 11 points was a major reason why Seattle was victorious in this game.

Coach Quinn inserted Jordan Horston into the starting lineup with the emphasis on slowing down DeWanna Bonner.

“What I saw in Jordan was a matchup that I felt like she can really focus on because she had those reps last year. And if you think about her athletic ability, her height, she matches up really well against DB. And it wasn't anything that she hadn't seen because she did it last year when she was playing the four a little bit more. The thing that comes into mind when you're moving a player from a different position to start the game is preparation and mindset. And she knew coming into this game, spoke with her and taught her the assignment. We're starting her number one role is to be an elite defender, starting on that end of the floor. And then what you saw today was stuff that she's been doing her entire life, playmaking at the position. So it's confidence in the player, it's preparation, it's communication, it's understanding of role.” Quinn stated.

Coach Quinn further talked about the team’s defense against Bonner and Carrington.

“It's definitely a team effort. Like I've said, every time I probably come up here, we want to hang our hat on the defensive end. DeWanna is an amazing player in this league. And a player like that, you are going to not completely stop. You saw how she started in the second half and her ability to shift so easily. But again, it's KYP at that point. I thought Jewell did an excellent job on Carrington and understanding she wants to get in the paint. But it's not just those particular matchups one-on-one. Sometimes it is team defenses being in the right area. It is knowing what they want to run and what they want to get to.” Quinn added.

And Jordan Horston added her thoughts.

“I was just really locked into my matchup. I feel like everybody was really locked in. We knew it was an early game, so we had to find that spark early. But I took it personal. They trusted me to guard a great player. My goal and my focus was to stop her, and make her uncomfortable. I feel like everybody played a part in that though. Because I got hit with some screens and I had to maneuver (around them). I feel like we all were on a string.” Horston answered.

The Sun did out-rebound the Storm 38-35. Their bench was also slightly better outscoring Seattle’s reserves 12-9. Horston moving into Seattle’s starting lineup certainly impacted that stat as she normally leads the Storm in scoring off the bench.

Game Breakdown

Brionna Jones was able to seal her way to the rim for the game’s first basket. Ezi Magbegor was able to score on a difficult turnaround over Alyssa Thomas. Jones was able to draw a foul for two. After a couple of empty possessions, Alyssa Thomas stole a pass from Jewell Loyd and raced the other way for two more to put the Sun up 6-2 early. Seattle started the game 1-8 FG on their shooting.

Jewell Loyd scored on a nice cut to the basket. Then Skylar Diggins-Smith deflected the ball away from Alyssa Thomas to Ezi Magbegor who then fed the ball up to Diggins-Smith for the layup past Jones. Jones and Thomas scored inside the paint to put Connecticut back on top 10-6.

Sami Whitcomb checked into the game and immediately scored through contact at the rim. The Storm made just 4-18 FG in the first period including 0-6 FG from beyond the arc. They trailed 14-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Tiffany Mitchell knocked down a midrange jumper to start the second period. Victoria Vivians connected on a three-pointer, Seattle’s first of the game, to cut their deficit back down to five. Rachel Banham scored on a contested jumper. Mercedes Russell got fouled down low and made both free throws. Mercedes then had a nice hustle play diving for an offensive rebound and jump-ball tie-up.

Ty Harris drove past Diggins-Smith for an easy layup. SDS then found Russell on the other end. Nneka Ogwumike was able to force her way past Jones for two. Another drive by Mitchell put the Sun up by 11 at 28-17. That’s when Seattle started to turn things around.

Jewell got past Banham for the AND1 layup. Loyd was then able to score a midrange jumper from a Magbegor offensive rebound. Then Skylar was able to get downhill and score on a turnaround jumper inside the paint. The 7-0 run by Seattle cut the Sun’s lead down to four at 28-24 and forced Coach Stephanie White to call a timeout.

After the timeout, Nneka Ogwumike had a huge block on Alyssa Thomas. Jordan Horston then ran the fast break and found Magbegor for the easy layup. Seattle got another stop and Horston once again ran the break and found Magbegor for two. The Storm’s 13-0 run ended after Connecticut got multiple offensive rebounds which eventually led to Ty Harris being fouled on her jump shot by Skylar. Harris made all three free throws that gave the Sun the one-point lead back. Seattle ended the first half on a quick 4-0 run and led 34-31 at the midway point.

Jewell Loyd led all scorers with 11 points. Ezi Magbegor added six points in the first half. Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones each had eight points for Connecticut. Both teams shot under 40% in the first half. Seattle was 38% (14-37 FG) and Connecticut shot 35% (13-37 FG). Both teams had 24 points in the paint and were a combined 1-16 FG (6%) from the three-point line.

Loyd got a steal on the first possession of the second half and led a fast break to Diggins-Smith for a quick two. Ty Harris knocked down a three-ball, Connecticut’s first of the game after missing their first seven shots from long range. Nneka was able to drive tough to the basket for two. Jewell then drove to the rim and was fouled for the AND1 to give Seattle their largest lead of the game up seven at 41-34.

DeWanna Bonner started to heat up scoring at the rim and a deep jumper. Then DiJonai Carrington scored in the lane off of a Storm turnover to quickly cut Seattle’s lead down to one at 41-40. Another basket from Bonner gave Connecticut the lead back. Nneka Ogwumike ended the 8-0 run with a three-ball at the top of the arch. Brionna Jones tied the game at the foul line. Skylar and Nneka quickly scored to put the Storm up four. Jordan Horston then had a strong AND1 past Bonner. Horston then poked the ball away from Thomas and then got the ball from Skylar for another layup to put the Storm up 53-44. At the end of the third quarter, the Storm led 55-48.

Jewell found Ezi open down low for two. Alyssa Thomas got a steal and was fouled by Magbegor where she converted both at the line. Both offenses slowed way down. Each team only scored four points through nearly the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. Dewanna Bonner then hit a three-ball to cut Seattle’s lead down to four. Ogwuike was able to draw the foul and made both free throws. Loyd then was fouled on the next possession.

Ty Harris made a great shot to cut the Sun’s deficit back down to seven. But then Seattle used great ball movement to find an open Skylar Diggins-Smith who sank the three-pointer and the Connecticut Sun. She put Seattle up 10 with less than three minutes to play. Seattle’s defense then got another stop and Magbegor found Horston cutting back door who finished past Brionna Jones at the rim to give the Storm a 12-point lead at 69-57.

Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas each scored one more time inside the paint in the final two minutes. Jordan Horston banked in a three-pointer to put her into double figures. Seattle finished this one by dribbling out the clock to a 72-61 win over the Connecticut Sun.

Final Box Score

Additional Analysis

Mirror Match

It was pretty interesting to watch this game play out. Both teams are very similar in their style of play. They both focus on defense, rebounding, and excelling in the paint. They combined for 84 points in the paint. Both the Sun and Storm struggle shooting from beyond the arc. Together they made just 6-30 FG ((20%) from three. Seattle is the second-worst three-point shooting team in the WNBA. Connecticut isn’t much better, they rank 9th in the league. The Sun also take fewer threes than just about any other team in the league.

Like Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones do most of their damage inside the paint. Where Connecticut is stronger at the wing with DeWanna Bonner and DiJonai Carrington the Storm’s strength is with their guards in Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith.

Seattle ranks 2nd with 40.9 PPG inside the paint. Connecticut is 4th at 39.6 PPG. The Sun rank 2nd in second-change points at 13.1 PPG. Seattle is 3rd at 12.0 PPG.

The Sun have the second-best defensive rating only behind the Minnesota Lynx with a score of 91.9. Seattle is third-best at 94.2. The Storm lead the league in Steals at 9.9 SPG. Connecticut isn’t far behind, ranking 4th at 8.4 SPG.

I asked Coach Noelle Quinn what similarities she saw between the two teams.

“Defensive-minded, I was trying to gauge our physicality versus a team who was historically physical. Watching Nneka go against Thomas, it showed that we have an ability to match up in a way that maybe we haven't in the past. And Jordan's agility and physicality, even with DB. Our rebounding is very similar to Connecticut's because they start on the defensive end. And we don't, we haven't taken a lot of threes and made a lot of threes. Honestly, I think those are going to come. But I think the grind it out, start with the defense and focus on stopping teams on that end of the floor is very similar right now.” Quinn answered.

And that’s not all. Both teams have struggled against top-tier competition this season. More on that further below.

Young Ones Building Chemistry

One of the most exciting parts of the 2023 season was the continued development of Ezi Magbegor into a bonafide WNBA All-Star. This year, it’s the growth and build-up of the chemistry between Magbegor and second-year player Jordan Horston. Not only are they both developing individually. They are developing as teammates. This was evident throughout the game as the two played off of one another very well. I’ve added some of the top clips between the two of them below to show that chemistry in action. And this is only on the offensive end. It doesn’t even include the excellent work these two are doing on the defensive side of the court.

Jordan Horston found Ezi Magbegor in transition in back-to-back possessions.

Their chemistry continues to grow. Here we have Horston and Magbegor execute pick and roll to perfection.

On this last one, Magbegor returns the favor as Horston cuts backdoor to the rim.

Even during Seattle’s last loss to the Aces, Nneka Ogwumike praised Horston and Magbegor’s strong performances calling them the future of the team.

They are accountability partners after all. And I don’t think that was done by coincidence.

Magbegor talked about the two of them continuing to build their chemistry together.

“I mean we're locked in. We're accountability partners, so we already have a connection off the court. But I think Jordan this year I've definitely seen a step up in her guard skills. She was more of a post for us last year, but just the way she's able to push the ball in transition. I know she loves scanning the floor, so I'm just ready for those outlet passes. And she did a great job of that today.” Ezi said.

I asked Coach Quinn about what it means to be an accountability partner. And she had this to say.

“It's much more than making sure your partner's on time and doing the right things on the court, it's steeper. It's an awareness that the connection matters on this team. You know, we go to bat with each other on the court. We're battling, but if we are connected off the court and understand each other off the court, what we stand for, it just makes our day-to-day work that much more enjoyable and fulfilling because you're rocking with your sis, but also you care a little bit deeper, standing shoulder to shoulder with them. So, yes, accountability on the court. Make sure Jordan knows the plays and knows her coverage and all those things. Her phone is off, so she doesn't get fined. Show up on time to the bus. But just making sure she breathes the air of elite mentality and a mindset that Ezi and Nneka have.” Quinn told me.

Concerns for Connecticut

The Connecticut Sun have been the #1 seed in the WNBA Standings through nearly the first two months of the season. They won their first nine games to start the season and didn’t lose until June 8th against the New York Liberty. Until Friday, June 21st, that was their only loss on the season while they had compiled 13 wins.

But over the past 48 hours, the Sun have now lost back-to-back games for the first time all season. First, to the surging Las Vegas Aces by a score of 85-74. And then two days later, 72-61 to the Seattle Storm.

After those two straight losses, Connecticut no longer sits at the top of the throne. They fall to second place as the 15-3 New York Liberty take the top spot.

The Sun are still in great shape overall. Most teams would be thrilled to be sitting with a 13-3 record, including the Storm. But there are cracks in the armor and I feel some of the same problems that have doomed them in the postseason are showing up again.

Connecticut’s three losses are to the New York Liberty (15-3), Las Vegas Aces (8-6), and Seattle Storm (10-6). The Sun’s record against the other top playoff teams this season is now 1-3. With their lone win coming at home in OT by one point against the Minnesota Lynx.

After Seattle dropped two games in a row to the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces I wrote about the Storm’s struggles against other playoff-quality teams. That holds true for Connecticut as well now.

The Twitter account “FourTheWNBA” shared some stats and records for the top teams in the league when you remove the easier parts of their schedule (the bottom 7 teams).

This was sent before Sunday’s matchup which means Seattle is now 2-5 and Connecticut is now 1-3. See, I told you these two teams truly are mirrors of one another.

Strong defense, rebounding, points in the paint, and getting to the free throw line are all great characteristics of a winning team. It’s why Connecticut and Seattle are both in the Top 4 of the WNBA standings. But their lack of three-point shooting has put them below New York, Minnesota, and Las Vegas when it comes to the Top 5 teams going head-to-head.

Come playoff time I think Seattle and Minnesota are still both wildcards. The Lynx currently look like the more realistic title contender with both their overall record and their record against the other top teams in the league. If healthy, both New York and Las Vegas will be extremely difficult to beat in a playoff series. It’s still very possible that the Aces could three-peat or that the Liberty could reach the WNBA Finals for a second year in a row.

I have a hard time looking at Connecticut and believing they will come out on top in a 5-game playoff series against either New York or Las Vegas when these teams get into an actual playoff series. And I’m not even sure if the Sun could outlast Seattle or Minnesota in a series either.

When it comes down to it, what happens if Connecticut’s defense and bully-ball aren’t enough? If their firepower isn’t able to compete against teams like the Liberty and Aces. If their three-point shooting can’t compete with Minnesota. If Seattle’s defense can hold Bonner or Thomas to single digits, what happens then?

The Connecticut Sun have been one of the top teams in the WNBA over the past handful of years. They’ve reached the WNBA Finals Championship series twice since 2019. And four times overall as a franchise. They are 0-4 in their Finals appearances. The exact opposite of the Storm (4-0). Despite their excellent start to this season at 13-1 before this weekend, I’m not sure I’ve seen anything that tells me 2024 will be any different for the Sun come playoff time.

Up Next

The Storm continue their nine-game homestand on Thursday, June 27th against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at 7:00 PM PDT. Despite a loss to Chicago on Sunday, the Fever have won 5 out of their last 7 games.

Notes:
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