Storm Earn Gutsy 85-81 Win Over Dream

Seattle outscored Atlanta 8-0 in the final 90 seconds.

(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Storm picked up an extremely important win on Wednesday night as they overcame a 4-point deficit in the final two minutes to defeat the Atlanta Dream (10-20) by a final score of 85-81. The victory keeps the Storm as the 4th overall seed in the WNBA Standings, one game above the Las Vegas Aces.

After their disappointing performance on Monday, where their lack of hustle cost them the game, there was clearly more energy and hustle coming from Seattle’s players against Atlanta. They were diving for loose balls, fighting for those 50/50 balls, and forcing multiple jump-ball tie-ups.

I spoke to Coach Quinn about her team’s effort after the game.

“Night and day, 180. I think it started with Ezi today. I mentioned that during halftime. In the first quarter, she's running the floor hard and that becomes contagious. I think that the first unit did a better job of locking into that… night and day. We talked about it for a day and a half, their appropriate mindset, manner in which you have to be a pro and show up. And I thought that our team did that.” Quinn told me.

Jewell Loyd led Seattle, scoring a game-high 28 points. She had probably her best three-point shooting night of the season drilling 5-8 FG from beyond the arc. Loyd did a bit of everything in this game as she also had six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith also stepped up. Ogwumike finished with 18 points on 53% FG shooting and six rebounds. Diggins-Smith was one assist shy of a double-double and contributed with 16 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three blocks! Ezi Magbegor was solid with seven points and a team-high nine rebounds. Mercedes Russell also had her second strong game off the bench finishing with seven points on a perfect 2-2 FG and 3-3 FT.

Overall, Seattle and Atlanta shot roughly the same. The Storm finished shooting 43% (31-72 FG) while the Dream were 44% (32-73 FG). However, uncharacteristically, the Storm were red-hot from three-point range on Wednesday. They made 47% (8-17 FG) from beyond the three-point line. That was better than the 29% (6-21 FG) that Atlanta made. Seattle also narrowly out-rebounded Atlanta 37-36.

The Storm had a huge advantage in fast break points (13-2). They also did a much better job limiting their mistakes as they committed just eight turnovers. Meanwhile, they forced the Dream into 14 turnovers and scored 17 points off of those errors.

For this specific squad, this was one of their gutsier performances of the season. They trailed by multiple scores with less than two minutes to go in the game and managed to out-execute Atlanta down the stretch when it mattered the most. This was an important win for this team. Especially, because of how they have been playing during the 2nd portion of this season after the Paris Olympics. Had they lost, they would have fallen to 1-4 in August. Instead, they picked up the important win to remain in a strong playoff position.

I spoke with both Coach Quinn and Jewell Loyd after the game about what this win can do for the team.

“Yeah, this group needs reps. And so these are excellent reps for this particular team and this particular season because we haven't had a season with it. And we can build off of different things. What we can do schematically, defensively at the end of games. We can build on our offensive execution. We can build in the in-between of how we want to play, execute on both sides of the basketball. It's about the reps, the reps that you don't really get in practice. The game reps are going to be important. It's always better when the reps turn into Ws.” Coach Quinn said.

“It's super important to understand it's just execution. You know, we were really locked in our timeouts, and we were really just communicating. Like I said after the game, these are the games that we want to be in, that are going to get us to where we need to go. And I feel like tonight was a good segment of that because we could win these kinds of games…. You always want to blow out, right? But that's not always what you're going to get. So we know we could be in games where you have to grind it out. And we know that's probably going to be how it is the rest of the season just because everyone's fighting for the same thing, right? But for us, it's an understanding that we're here and we're supposed to be here. We're able to play like this and have a team win. That's what it is. It's all team basketball at this point.” Loyd added.

Atlanta Dream

Allisha Gray led the Dream in scoring with 22 points but it was Tina Charles who had arguably one of the greatest games of her long-storied career. Charles finished with her first Triple-Double as she put up 19 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. It was also the first Triple-Double in Atlanta Dream franchise history. Charles was a monster on the glass and was battling back-and-forth with Nneka Ogwumike all game long.

I spoke with Nneka about that battle after the game.

“It was the battle of the vets, you know? I've been guarding Tina my whole career, including in college. It's always a really great, challenging matchup, and she's the type of player that makes me better.” Ogwumike mentioned.

Coach Quinn also shared some words on Charles’s performance with me.

“She continues to etch her name in the history books. Number two scorer in our league (history) now. When I saw 10 assists from Tina, no shade to Tina. I'm like, okay. You're not just a scorer. You can distribute. A couple of those are breakdowns. I don't know why we're doing what we're doing to allow her to see. But I think that she’s an excellent player. Tina is a legend. She's going to obviously be a Hall of Famer. Not just what she's doing on the court, but off the court with her Hopey (Heart) Foundation and all those things that she contributes to through the community. Yes, her efforts on the court continue to be amazing, but she's an ambassador for everything good in this life and what we really like in this league. She's sharp. She's a tough cover. She's a bucket, but she also rebounds the ball very well. And she's going to continue to do that at a high level.” Quinn stated.

Beyond Gray and Charles, the Dream had four players total score in double figures. Jordin Canada finished with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Rhyne Howard added 12 points but was much less efficient (4-15 FG) and less of a threat than when she scored 30 points against Seattle back on August 16th.

Atlanta moved the ball a bit better than Seattle as they had a 23-19 edge in assists. They also dominated down low outscoring the Storm 46-34 inside the paint.

Game Breakdown

Nneka Ogwumike knocked in a three-pointer for the game’s first basket. Allisha Gray quickly evened things up on the other end. Ezi Magbegor made a strong drive for two. Jewell Loyd was fouled on Seattle’s next possession and made both free throws. Jordin Canada beat the defense down the baseline for a reverse layup. Jewell knocked in a three-pointer at the top of the arc as Seattle led 10-5 early.

Loyd then knocked in another triple. Rhyne Howard drilled one of her own to cut Seattle’s lead down to five. Howard then hit another three-ball to make it 13-11. Tina Charles made a nice pump fake drive down the baseline for two. Loyd responded a couple of plays later with her third three-pointer of the opening quarter.

Joyner Holmes and Victoria Vivians checked in late in the first and Vivians immediately made a nice cut to the the rim for two with an assist from Holmes. Nia Coffey sank a three-pointer. Sami Whitcomb made a midrange jumper on Seattle’s final possession of the quarter. Seattle led 23-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Things got even better to begin the second period. The Storm started on a 6-0 run with baskets from Nneka Ogwumike, Joyner Holmes, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Allisha Gray quickly scored five points with a corner three and a strong drive to the rim to cut Seattle’s lead back down to eight at 29-21.

Baskets from Jordin Canada, an AND1 by Naz Hillman, and Tina Charles cut the Storm’s double-digit lead down to three as part of a 7-0 run by the Dream. Nneka Ogwumike ended that with a midrange jumper. But Atlanta kept pushing. Charles made a three-ball at the top of the key. Jordin Canada got to the line for two to cut Seattle’s lead down to two.

Ezi Magbegor made a three-pointer. Gray countered with an AND1 finishing through contact against multiple defenders. Gabby Williams had a nice drive to the rim but Allisha Gray scored in transition just a few seconds later. Rhyne Howard made two free throws and Gabby Williams split a pair to end the half. At the midway point, the Storm led by three at 43-40. Ogwumike led the Storm with 13 points and Gray led the Dream with 13 points.

Jordin Canada weaved her way to the rim for two to score the first basket of the 2nd half. Skylar split a pair of free throws and then Naz Hillmon got a layup to tie the game at 44-44. Tina Charles scored on back-to-back possessions to even things up again with Seattle. In between, Loyd made a beautiful cut to get wide-open under the rim for two.

Skylar Diggins-Smith hit a three-ball to put Seattle up five at 55-50. Charles scored again down low. Skylar scored again but it was waved off after a review and reversed to an offensive foul. Seattle maintained a small lead with baskets from Mercedes Russell and SDS.

Atlanta took the lead on a Rhyne Howard scoop layup. Another basket by Allisha Gray to end the quarter put the Dream up 62-59 at the end of the third period.

Jewell got fouled to begin the fourth quarter and made both free throws. Gray scored quickly on the other end. Loyd and Charles swapped baskets again. Mercedes Russell grabbed an offensive rebound and finished with an AND1 after getting fouled. Skylar then hit a ridiculous shot before the shot clock buzzer went off.

The Dream responded again as Nia Coffey grabbed an offensive rebound and made a quick putback layup. Then Howard drilled a midrange jumper to cut Seattle’s lead down to one. Seattle answered back with an AND1 by Diggins-Smith as Seattle pushed their lead to 74-70.

Charles got a late whistle and made both free throws. Diggins-Smith countered with a deep two. Ezi was called for a reckless closeout Flagrant 1 as Allisha Gray was shooting a three-pointer. Gray made all three free throws and then Jordin Canada scored as Atlanta retained the ball to complete the 5-point possession.

SDS was fouled and split the free throws to tie the game. Gray scored again in the paint. Atlanta found the mismatch with Jewell getting switched onto the taller Naz Hillmon. Hillmon finished over Loyd to put Atlanta up four.

The Storm weren’t dead yet. Skylar missed a shot but Nneka got the offensive rebound, laid it back in, and was fouled for the AND1. Seattle got the defensive stop they needed.

Coach Quinn called a timeout and they set up a play where Skylar dribbled to the right side of the court, Nneka set a screen for Jewell, and Skylar passed it back to Loyd near the top of the arch where she buried the three-pointer to put Seattle back on top for good.

Needing one more stop to seal the win, Gabby Williams leaped nearly 10 feet in the air to steal the ball away from Atlanta as they tried to get the ball in from out of bounds. Seattle quickly called timeout to advance the ball and set up an inbounds play to get Loyd the ball where Atlanta was forced to immediately foul. Jewell casually sank both free throws and the Storm won 85-81 over the Dream.

Final Box Score

Additional Analysis

Jewell in the Clutch

Per the Seattle Storm PR and the Elias Sports Bureau - Within the last 30 seconds, in the 4th quarter or OT when shooting to tie or give the team the lead, Jewell Loyd is 12-24 FG and 5-11 FG from beyond the arc. The 50% accuracy on game-winning type shots makes Jewell one of the most clutch players in WNBA league history.

Loyd talked about it after the game.

“Making sure that we're not always in those situations either to have to make all these big shots. But at the same time, I understand that. I do like those situations. I'm comfortable in those situations. But tonight was a big one because we needed this win. It was set up perfectly. Great pass, great screen, and execution of our offense.”

It’s funny. Ironic maybe. Had Seattle lost this game, I was going to write about the fact that Jewell was taking too many shots. In this game, Loyd took more shots than Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor combined. She also took more shots than Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor (or Gabby Williams) combined. Jewell is not always the most efficient shooter. This season she is shooting a career-low 36% from the floor overall. Her 26% from beyond the arc is her second-lowest next to her rookie season (21% from 3-PT).

While overall, I think the team would probably be better if both Nneka and Ezi were getting more shot attempts, there is no denying that Jewell Loyd has that clutch gene in her.

It also makes it difficult when we judge what’s best for the team. For all the bad off-balanced shots with a hand in her face that she misses, Jewell will save the day like she did tonight. Like she did in Atlanta, as she was falling into the bench but still drained the three to tie the game in the final seconds. Like she did when she hit a corner three against Los Angeles in the Wubble with less than a second to go to win the game. Or her near halfcourt shot against Dallas up in Everett. Over the years, Jewell has made some of the most clutch shots in Seattle Storm history. Wednesday night, was just another example in the long list of moments where Loyd was the hero for the Storm.

Atlanta Will Sneak Into the Playoffs

Atlanta is a much more talented team than their sub-.500 record would indicate. Tina Charles is still a bucket down low. Allisha Gray is a legitimate All-Star. Rhyne Howard has flashes that she could be one of the next great scorers in the league, similar to Arike Ogunbowale or Jewell Loyd. Plus Jordin Canada who, when healthy, is an above-average point guard.

Despite having a losing record (19-21) last season, Atlanta made the playoffs and finished as the 5th seed. The Dream have been snake-bitten with a lot of injuries this year. Jordin Canada has missed 20 games this season. Howard has missed 10 games. Even Cheyenne Parker-Tyus has missed five games including Wednesday’s game in Seattle.

Despite their challenges, Atlanta is just one game behind the Chicago Sky for the 8th and final playoff spot. The Sky traded away veteran guard Marina Mabrey right before the Olympic break. Since then they have lost 5 out of their 6 games. And Chicago has a pretty tough schedule to finish out the season. Seven out of their 10 remaining games are against playoff opponents.

Atlanta is a more experienced team and I think they have the more talented roster (when healthy). They should pass Chicago to earn the 8th and final playoff spot this season.

But if Not… is Tanisha’s Time Up?

This is Tanisha Wright’s third season as a WNBA Head Coach with the Atlanta Dream. The team missed the playoffs in her first season with a 14-22 record. They finished 19-21 last season and made the playoffs but then they were swept 0-2 by the Dallas Wings in the first round.

Because the team is 10-20 this season, it’s already impossible for them to finish the year with a winning record; even if they were to go 10-0 in their final 10 games. If they finish the season 5-5 or worse, they’ll actually have a worse win percentage than Wright’s first two seasons at the helm.

If Atlanta does miss the playoffs for the second time in three years under Tanisha Wright and has a losing record for the third consecutive season, the Dream ownership may look to move on to a new head coach for 2025.

I think that’s possible even if they do make the playoffs as the 8th seed. But I also feel that if Wright got them to the playoffs with the amount of injuries they’ve had this season, it would likely warrant one more season to turn things around.

Tough Test Ahead

On Friday, the Storm will host the #1 team in the WNBA, the New York Liberty. It’ll only be the second time this “New Storm” will have faced the Liberty this season. The first matchup took place early in the season in New York where the Storm were without Nneka Ogwumike. Without her, Seattle simply wasn’t competitive in that game. They trailed by 12 points after the first quarter and by as many as 18 points late in the 4th quarter. Ultimately, the Storm lost 74-63.

Seattle can send a message to the rest of the league and themselves if they can take down the current favorites to win the WNBA Championship this season. They at least need to make this game competitive if they don’t win. They can’t get down 15-20 points to New York if they want to be considered legit title contenders this season. With the veterans on this team, that is the expectation. The Storm will have to prove it against tough opponents above them in the standings. They face New York and Connecticut each twice over the next four games with three of those games being on the road.

Up Next

The Storm (19-11) will have their toughest test since returning from the Olympic break when they host Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty (26-6) on Friday at 7:00 PM PDT at Climate Pledge Arena.

Notes:
Photo Credits to Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography
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