Storm Crush Lowly Mystics 101-69

Seattle evens their record at 3-3 after a lopsided win.

(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Storm (3-3) did what they’re supposed to do against a winless Washington Mystics (0-6) team who was missing two of their starters, they crushed them. Seattle led 25-15 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. They dominated in the second half outscoring the Mystics 51-28, including a 25-10 fourth period. That led to a 101-69 victory for the Storm.

Seattle used a balanced attack with five players scoring in double figures. They were led by Nneka Ogwumike who had 19 points. Jewell Loyd added 18 points. That included shooting 57% (4-7 FG) from beyond the arc. Ezi Magbegor contributed with 16 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. Sami Whitcomb had another strong game off the bench knocking down 80% (4-5 FG) of her shots from three-point range. She added 12 points to lead Seattle’s reserves in scoring. Lastly, Skylar Diggins-Smith bounced back from her disappointing 1-10 FG performance to score 16 points on 67% (6-9 FG) shooting. Diggins-Smith also had a game-high nine assists and just one turnover. After the game, Skylar mentioned that Coach Noelle Quinn would be most proud of her for that.

“There's no sample size for what I'm trying to do. You've got one current player and one former player. I could talk to Taj or I could talk to Dearica. That's it. It's no sample size, it's rare air for what I'm trying to do. So navigating that, navigating this season with two little ones, trying to balance everything. I want everything to go so well here. This is my last stop in the W, and I want it to go really well. And so with that, it's gonna be ebbs and flows. You just kinda have to go with it. That's through any season. And my teammates have been, this is the best place for me to be. My teammates have been amazing in the way that they support me, the way that they encourage me. Same with the coaching staff, with everybody really. I've been putting the work in, so I knew between that and the law of averages, some were gonna start falling. But it's really all to my teammates and credit to them and my coaches, and the PD, Marcus Tibbs, putting the time in, looking at film. I'm just trying to build. I know it's not about me, it's about the success of the team. But I know when I can get it going like that, that's very helpful and beneficial to the team. I think Noey would be the most proud of the nine-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio tonight. But it felt good, it felt good. I knew it was just a matter of time and hopefully, this is just something I can continue to build up.” Diggins-Smith said.

Coach Quinn responded.

“She's absolutely right because we joked the other day that I've been on her about the turnovers and on our team about the turnovers and that starts with her. The other day we had a double overtime game and I talked about how our assists were still low. When we as a team take care of the ball, we have more shots on goal, period. And the ability to execute and utilize our weapons because we have possessions. And valuing those possessions is going to continue to be important moving forward. But what you're highlighting is assist. I want to live in 20 plus every day because we have an ability to. And that means that the flow, the ball is moving, and all of those things are happening. And again, if we can... I love seeing five people in double figures. I think that we can really have some success if we live in that.”

The Storm bench played quite well. Jordan Horston added eight points. Mercedes Russell was a perfect 3-3 on her field goal attempts and finished with a game-high seven rebounds. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu added four points and a couple of rebounds late in the fourth quarter. Seattle’s reserves scored 30 points off the bench outscoring their Mystics counterparts by three.

Seattle was highly effective on offense. They had their second-best shooting performance in franchise history as they made 62% (37-60 FG) of their shots overall. They also were excellent from beyond the arc as they connected on 55% (12-22 FG) from the three-point range. The Storm out-rebounded the Mystics 33-27 and dominated inside the paint with a 44-30 advantage in paint points. The home team also had a season-high 27 assists as they were moving the basketball consistently and finding the open player. They also had a slight edge in fast break points 10-5 over the Mystics.

I spoke with Coach Quinn after the game about the team’s improved rebounding and ability to score inside the paint this season compared to last year and what were the main factors in that improvement.

“Nneka and Sky because a lot of that too is getting downhill but Nneka is a post presence that though she talks about maybe being undersized and all those things she's very strong and able to really finish efficiently around the rim. And just a mindset of being aggressive, getting to the paint. Jewell is not only settling for taking shots, she's making sure she's getting to the rim and is an excellent finisher as well. I think it's just a mindfulness of not just taking threes or whatever it is, and also just taking what the defense is giving. And then the rebounding, again, Ezi has been super solid. Super solid defensive presence, but also if you think about the 11 rebounds that Jewell's getting, the other day. Our guards are getting rebounds. Tori is getting there and getting some. Jordan consistently getting some rebounds and then again, Nneka, you know being able to rebound at a high clip for us it just breeds all of those things that you're talking about.” Quinn answered.

Washington Mystics

Things are rough for the Washington Mystics right now. They’re winless in their first six games this season. They had a critical injury to one of their best players. Brittney Sykes has missed their last four games with an ankle injury and could be out for awhile. She went down with the injury early in their second game of the season against the Connecticut Sun.

Karlie Samuelson led the team in scoring with 16 points, two shy of her career-high. Samuelson has been one of the few bright spots for the Mystics through their first six games.

Former Seattle Storm guard Jade Melbourne scored a career-high 13 points off the bench for the Mystics. She certainly played like she had something to prove against her former team. Melbourne shot 56% (5-9 FG) and had three assists in 21 minutes.

I asked Coach Quinn about Jade’s performance after the game.

“She's aggressive. Getting downhill, Jade is a very good player, you know, and she has an ability to play in space, get to the rim, see the openings of her pockets, and all those things. I thought she was aggressive and confident.” Coach Quinn stated.

Julie Vanloo, the team’s starting PG, scored 12 points and also had three assists.

D.C. struggled with their shot shooting 34% (24-70 FG). They were 35% (7-20 FG) from beyond the arc. They did shoot 93% from the Free Throw line knocking down 14-15 FT. They had more turnovers (15) than assists (13) in the game.

Ariel Atkins, who has normally had big games against Seattle in the past, finished with just two points and went 0-12 on her field goal attempts!

Game Breakdown

Karlie Samuelson knocked down a three-pointer to score the game’s first basket. Ezi Magbegor was able to draw a foul on Seattle’s second possession and knocked down both free throws. After Victoria Vivians grabbed an offensive rebound she kicked it out to Skylar Diggins-Smith for the open three-pointer. Stefanie Dolson responded on the other end by knocking down her three-ball. The teams continued to exchange scores with Nneka Ogwumike, Julie Vanloo, and Jewell Loyd all scoring on consecutive possessions. Vanloo then knocked down another triple for the Mystics as they took an 11-10 lead early on.

Ezi Magbegor had a huge block on Aaliyah Edwards and that led to a transition basket by Ogwumike. Diggins-Smith then knocked down her second triple of the opening quarter. That put Seattle up six at 17-11 but Vanloo would get more dribble penetration and finished with a finger roll at the rim.

Diggins-Smith and Vanloo exchanged layups on each end. Jewell knocked down a jumper. Mercedes Russell was able to hit a midrange jumper but it was waived off as Nneka was fouled before the shot went up.

Jordan Horston converted a layup in the final 30 seconds of the first period that gave Seattle a ten-point lead 25-15 after one quarter of play.

Nneka scored inside the paint to begin the second period. Then Jordan Horston got an open-court steal and raced down the other end for the easy layup. On the Mystics’ next possession, Horston played strong defense forcing Ariel Atkins into a missed shot. Then ran the transition and hit Ogwumike for another score near the rim.

Jade Melbourne showed Seattle a little bit more of her potential, drawing a foul against Sami Whitcomb on a drive. Then knocking down a fadeaway midrange jumper in the paint. And on a third consecutive possession, she made an impact by hitting Shatori Walker-Kimbrough in transition for a three-ball.

DiDi Richards scored to cut Seattle’s lead down to 10 at 34-24. Mercedes Russell scored on back-to-back possessions. Melbourne then set up her teammate Aaliyah Edwards with another nice pass as Edwards connected on the midrange jumper.

Victoria Vivians had a strong drive to the rim. Nneka found Ezi cutting to the rim for the easy layup. Aaliyah Edwards had a nice cut to the hoop to answer back for D.C. Loyd responded with another triple in transition.

Washington’s guards kept the Mystics in the game. Jade knocked down two shots in a row including one three-pointer. Vanloo hit a three-ball as well to cut Seattle’s lead back down to single digits at 48-41.

Nneka scored one more time before the end of the first half. The second quarter was the only period where the Mystics outscored Seattle and did so by just one point at 26-25. The Storm carried a 50-41 lead into the break.

Seattle committed three turnovers in a row to begin the third period. Karlie Samuelson was able to draw a foul and knocked down a pair of free throws. Jewell Loyd was able to finally score by driving hard to the rim. Magbegor would then connect on a three-pointer. Ezi would score again by splitting through two defenders and finishing at the rim. That put Seattle up 61-45 and forced Coach Eric Thibault to call a timeout.

Skylar had a fancy reverse layup through traffic. Jade Melbourne scored on another drive and Karlie Samuelson was able to recover her own blocked shot and put it back in. Sami Whitcomb connected on a three-pointer that put Seattle up 18 points, their largest lead of the game up to that point at 68-50.

Stefanie Dolson hit a shot from beyond the arc and then Jade Melbourne leaped into the air to steal a pass and raced down the court beating Jordan Horston to score at the rim. After another Seattle foul, the Mystics quickly went on a 7-0 run.

Seattle responded with a strong finish to the quarter. They ended with an 8-2 run, getting three-pointers from Whitcomb and Magbegor. Plus another basket from Ezi. Magbegor scored 10 points in the third period. Seattle led 76-59 at the end of three.

Whitcomb hit another corner three. Then got a big rejection against Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Sami then was able to get dribble penetration and found Nneka Ogwumike wide-open under the basket for two points. That put Seattle up 83-61 and forced Coach Thibault into another timeout.

After the Mystics scored Coach Quinn called a timeout and set up a play to get Jewell an open three-pointer that Loyd knocked down.

Nika Mühl finally checked in for the first time with less than four minutes left in the game. She received a huge ovation from the crowd, especially from the group of young girls sitting behind press row.

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu gave Seattle some nice production scoring four points and grabbing a couple of rebounds in the game’s final minutes. Dulcy’s AND1 would be the game’s final points as the Storm won 101-69.

Final Box Score

Additional Analysis

Trading Jade Melbourne Was a Mistake

When Seattle traded away Jade Melbourne right before the start of this season, I was pretty shocked. While I knew Nika Mühl and Jade Melbourne were potentially competing for the team’s backup point guard position behind Skylar Diggins-Smith. The way the team’s contracts were laid out, the team was going to have to cut either Joyner Holmes or Victoria Vivians to free up enough salary cap space. Cutting Jade Melbourne wouldn’t free up enough space to allow the Storm to keep both Vivians and Holmes.

Ultimately, the team decided to keep Kiana Williams in favor of Melbourne. It’s a feel-good story for Williams who was drafted in the second round of the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. And has worked hard to get back to playing on a WNBA roster after not playing for a team in 2023.

But I am admittedly confused by the decision. Jade Melbourne is 21 years old. Kiana Williams is 25. Jade was on a rookie scale contract where the team could have owned her rights through 2026 for cheap. Melbourne is 5’10” and looks like she might have grown a little more. Williams is on the shorter side listed at 5’7”. Jade has also been more productive in the WNBA. With all of these things noted, the upside seems to favor Melbourne.

Maybe Coach Quinn didn’t think Melbourne was good enough defensively. Or that she wasn’t ready to run the point without committing too many turnovers. Those are other factors we don’t know. But in this game, Jade showed a lot of her potential by scoring on the drive, knocking down a three-pointer, finding her teammates for some good looks, and also getting to the foul line. She certainly looked capable of playing the point guard role in the WNBA.

When building a team roster you have to factor in both the immediate season but also player projections a year or two from now. Especially, when they are only 21 years old and you have them under club control for at least three more years.

I understand trading a player for a third-round pick is better than just outright cutting a player. But I don’t really understand the decision to cut or get rid of Melbourne. To me, it looks like it was a mistake.

The Mystics Should Tank

The Washington Mystics are currently a league-worst 0-6 to begin the 2024 WNBA season. After Elena Delle Donne opted not to play with the Mystics this season and Natasha Cloud signed with the Phoenix Mercury during Free Agency, we know it would be an uphill battle for the rest of the Mystics roster. That’s been compounded by the fact that Shakira Austin has missed a couple of games and Brittney Sykes has been out of action for four games.

If Shakira Austin can stay healthy this season after her hip surgery last year, I believe Austin and Aaliyah Edwards are a solid young frontcourt duo the team can begin to build around.

Jade Melbourne has shown that she has the potential to either be a starting guard in the WNBA or at least a solid bench contributor. And because Melbourne is so young and still under her rookie contract for another two years beyond 2024 before she becomes a Restricted Free Agent, she may be another piece the Mystics can build around.

If their disappointing season continues, they’ll likely be battling with teams like the Los Angeles Sparks and potentially the Indiana Fever for the #1 overall pick. That could be Paige Bueckers or another top rookie prospect.

D.C. would then have some choices to make. If they wanted to go full rebuild mode, they could try to trade away either Ariel Atkins or Brittney Sykes to see if they could recoup a first-round pick for either of those players. That would probably be too difficult to do in season with so many teams being tight against the salary cap but both players are signed through the 2025 season and could be traded before the 2025 season begins.

Also, Atkins is still just 27 years old. They certainly could keep her as part of their core if they wanted.

Building Balance

Seattle scored over 100 points for the first time ever at Climate Pledge Arena. The team did it because they got large contributions from their “Core Four” but also got 30 points from their bench. When putting together this team, this was the type of performance I’m sure General Manager Talisa Rhea and Coach Noelle Quinn dreamed of. Having five players score in double figures and four starters score at least 16 points is a big deal.

The team’s chemistry looked on point. That led to 27 assists and many high-percentage shots. Jewell Loyd was mostly taking good looks. Either open shots or ones where she’s able to create separation. There was less forcing up bad shots that we’ve seen in some of Seattle’s losses. Jewell is currently averaging 19.5 PPG and 7.3 RPG through her first six games.

Nneka Ogwumike has been nearly automatic. It is a joy to watch Ogwumike play basketball. And I’m still not used to watching a player be this efficient game after game. It feels like Ogwumike makes every shot she takes from 15 feet in. She’s such a great finisher at the rim and has such a beautiful touch in the midrange. Nneka is making over 63% of her shots. She makes nearly nine shots for every 13 attempts each game. The consistency has been incredible. Ogwumike is averaging 21.3 PPG for Seattle through her first four games played. She also leads the team averaging 8.3 RPG.

Diggins-Smith is averaging 12.7 PPG and 6.2 APG through her first six games. Outside of her one poor performance that came from the fourth game played in six days in four different cities, she has played quite well overall with still a ton of room to grow. Skylar currently ranks 5th in assists per game throughout the entire WNBA. Only behind Caitlin Clark, Jackie Young, Alyssa Thomas, and Natasha Cloud. Cloud leads the WNBA averaging 8.8 APG. Skylar’s ability to penetrate the defense and get into the paint is an absolute weapon. It allows her to get good looks at the rim and also draw in defenses where she can find an open teammate for a big shot. If her three-point efficiency improves as the season progresses, watch out!

And with Ezi Magbegor she is anchoring the defense. Her 2.5 blocks per game rank third-best in the entire WNBA only behind Alanna Smith and Cameron Brink (3.3 BPG). Magbegor has continued to show off the skills that made her a 2023 WNBA All-Star. Her ability to drive to the rim makes her a difficult player to defend especially for any slower post players. And most post players are slower than Magbegor. Ezi’s stats are almost completely identical to her 2023 campaign. She’s averaging 13.5 PPG this year (13.8 PPG last season). She’s rebounding the ball at 8.2 RPG in 2024 and was at 8.1 RPG in 2023. Her three-point shooting has also improved. She’s currently at 42% compared to 39% from a year ago.

The beauty of the balance is that each player in the “Core Four” led the team in scoring during the individual quarters. Skylar Diggins-Smith led the team in scoring in the first period with 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led them in the second quarter with seven points. Ezi Magbegor scored 10 of her 16 points in the third period. Jewell Loyd finished the fourth quarter leading the team with six points in the final frame.

I spoke with Nneka Ogwumike about that after the game.

“I think that's the idea behind, as you said, a core four. It can be any one of us at any moment. I think we definitely have catalysts, but for us to be able to sustain a 40-minute game where we can kind of always control the tempo of the game. Having someone like Ezi, obviously me, Sky, Jewell. And then, you know, that extends, we play deep into our bench as well. You see Sami had some really great minutes. Jordan made some great plays. Cedes as well. But having someone like Ezi who comes out there and she's like the motor, and she continues to make plays on both ends of the court. But I think that's kind of the thing that we have to sustain over this time as we build, understanding that it's not one person. It's not two people. It's not three people. It's not four. But still finding our moments where we can be as effective as possible, both individually, which leads to the collective success. And I'm still trying to, I mean, I think it's kind of coming out. I think that Beast in Ezi is kind of coming out. She's obviously the sweetest. But a 10-point quarter like that from her, I want her to know that that's light work. That's light work. And I think that what we exude is that contagion. And so I'm hoping, I expect that she will continue to feel that energy and also translate it in her own way, as we saw tonight, consistently.” Ogwumike told me.

Beyond the starters, the Storm are getting solid contributions from their bench. Mercedes Russell leads the WNBA in Field Goal shooting percentage at roughly 70%. She is averaging 6.0 PPG. Sami Whitcomb has scored in double figures in three consecutive games. She’s currently averaging 6.8 PPG. And then Jordan Horston, like Magbegor, contributes as one of Seattle’s best defensive players. She’s continuing to develop her offensive game and showed nice flashes of it against the Mystics where she scored eight points on 50% FG shooting.

As Seattle continues to build up their team chemistry and as the newer players learn how to utilize Coach Quinn’s offensive and defensive systems, the personnel is there for Seattle to potentially be an elite team this season.

Up Next

Seattle heads out on a two-game road trip. Next up they will face the hard-working Chicago Sky (2-2) who have played much better than many had expected. They nearly took down the undefeated Connecticut Sun (5-0) on Saturday evening falling 86-82. The Storm will face the Sky on Tuesday 05/28 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Notes:
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