Storm lose OT Thriller to the Lynx 99-97

Jewell Loyd's 41 points weren't enough as Seattle lost their 11th game this season.

(Seattle, WA) - THIS CLOSE! The Seattle Storm were so close to an incredible victory but fell just short in overtime against the Minnesota Lynx. Both teams battled it out in one of the most exciting WNBA games this season. Despite a career-high 41 points from Jewell Loyd, Minnesota escaped Seattle with a 99-97 OT victory. Napheesa Collier hit the game-winner with less than two seconds left in the contest.

Despite the new career-high, Loyd wasn’t in the mood to celebrate after the Storm suffered their 11th loss this season.

“I got to my spots. I wouldn’t say I was too efficient. I missed a lot of easy ones.” Loyd said after the game.

“We had a lot of opportunities to get a rebound and we couldn’t. That’s something we historically have struggled with is rebounding. We have to get better. That’s what it comes down to. Getting stops and taking care of the ball. That’s on me.” She added.

She did finish with 41 points but took 35 shots making 15 of them. Loyd pulled down nine rebounds but also had six turnovers including a crucial one during the Storm’s final possession.

Another thing Loyd did well was get some of Minnesota’s players into foul trouble. Both Lindsay Allen and Diamond Miller were in charge of defending Jewell and they each finished the game with five fouls. More importantly, they got those fouls earlier than normal and did have to sit at times in the 2nd half because of that.

I tried speaking with Jewell about utilizing her ability to draw fouls as a weapon to force some of the opposing team’s best players to sit on the bench. But Loyd was more focused on the fouls that weren’t called as opposed to the ones that were.

“I mean, a foul is a foul. I’m actually surprised they called it. They miss a lot. To me, it’s more about player safety than just calling a foul. I got hit in the head three times. Even on the last possession, before I turned the ball over, I got hit in the head and the arm. The refs say, ‘I don’t see it.’ So what are you watching? That’s your job is to make sure that players are protected and to call a foul a foul.” Loyd stated in frustration.

“This is not the first time we’ve talked about trying to get contact and fouls. They’re fouling me. It’s not a shock that they got five fouls. They’re fouls. I’m frustrated as a player because I’ve seen it across the league. I have refs telling me that, ‘Oh, I didn’t like it. I’m not going to call a foul’ before. That’s bias.” She added and then finished with.

“Protect the players. It’s not just us. Every single team has said something about the refs. That tells you that something is going wrong in that department. You expect high-level plays. We expect high-level refs. We’re not getting that every single night.”

Seattle did get some strong performances from other players besides Loyd. Ezi Magbegor finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds. The 16 rebounds were a new career-high for the Aussie.

Sami Whitcomb came off the bench and scored 22 points on 7-11 FG, knocking down five more three-pointers. Rookie Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu provided a big spark off the bench with eight points and nine rebounds. She also had two blocked shots. She wasn’t the only rookie to have a positive contribution. While Ivana Dojkić struggled with her shot-making just 2-8 FG. She still finished with seven points and a game-high 10 assists.

Coach Quinn came across as dejected after the game.

“No more moral victories. I thought (Jewell) found spots and hit some very tough shots and big shots. Her rebounding has been pretty consistent. She had nine rebounds last game. Just finding a way to keep us in games and will us in a lot of ways.” Quinn briefly stated.

The positive for Seattle is that they out-rebounded Minnesota 48-36. They had a 20-8 advantage in second-chance points.

“That’s been our deficiency over the past few games, our rebounding, and our activity. We started the game with a lot of turnovers. I think in the first quarter we had seven, that’s way too many. And it continued. It was the live-ball turnovers that really hurt us. We are trying to stay in games and make runs, that’s one thing we have to continue to clean up.” Quinn added.

Minnesota Lynx

Frustratingly for Seattle, all the Lynx players that hurt the Storm on Tuesday in Minnesota continued to do more damage on Thursday night. Napheesa Collier followed up her 33-point performance with 31 points in this game. She also added eight rebounds, five assists, and six blocked shots!

Rookie Diamond Miller looked worthy of the 2nd overall pick. She followed up her 18-point performance with a new career-high of 19 points. I really feel the Storm missed Jordan Horston’s defense in this two-game series against the Lynx. I don’t know if Horston could have slowed Miller down a bit but I would have liked to see her try. Jordan remains out of action with her shoulder injury.

Kayla McBride reminded us just how many talented guards have come out of Notre Dame over the past ten years. McBride finished with 19 points on 50% FG shooting. She also added six rebounds and five steals.

Dorka Juhász (rookie) had another strong performance. She finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Dorka made four out of her five field goals.

The Lynx outshot Seattle 46% (35-76 FG) to 41% (34-84 FG). They had a 42-34 advantage with points in the paint. Minnesota edged Seattle in assists (25-21), steals (11-8), and blocked shots (10-3). They also forced the Storm into 19 turnovers and scored 27 points off of those turnovers while only committing 10 of their own.

Game Breakdown

Rookie Diamond Miller scored inside the paint for the game’s first basket. Ezi Magbegor was able to drive into the lane on Seattle’s second possession to tie the game. Miller then air-balled a three and Jewell Loyd found Ivana Dojkić open on the wing for her own triple. Napheesa Collier then scored back-to-back baskets. Then Diamond did the same resulting in Coach Quinn calling an early timeout with the Lynx on an 8-0 run and leading 10-5.

Collier would score again after the timeout. Kia Nurse drove hard to the rim and was fouled. She made the basket and free throw to complete the AND1. Minnesota’s Dorka Juhász sealed her defender down low and finished the easy layup. That was after she got a big block on Ezi.

They rejected Ezi again and Diamond Miller raced down the court, no one on the Storm bothered to pick her up, and she finished at the rim for two more. Nikola Milic was able to make two free throws. Then Bridget Carleton knocked down a three-ball. Lindsay Allen then drove the baseline drawing multiple defenders, she dumped off a pass to Milic for the wide-open layup to put the Lynx up 25-12.

Seattle scored the final five points of the quarter as Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu made a layup inside the paint and Magbegor knocked down a three-pointer.

Magbegor scored again to begin the second quarter. Sami Whitcomb scored five points off the bench. Collier was able to able to score an AND1 and Kayla McBride knocked down a three but Seattle’s offense kept attacking. Loyd scored six points in less than a minute to cut Minnesota’s lead down to two at 32-30. This forced Coach Cheryl Reeve to call a timeout.

The Lynx were able to push their lead back up to nine with points from Juhâsz, a three from Bridget Carleton, and a pair of free throws from Collier. They extended their lead to 11 but Seattle fought back. Jewell hit a short jumper and Sami buried another shot from beyond the arc. Whitcomb then got three points the old-fashioned way. She drove past Rachel Banham and finished at the rim while being fouled. Whitcomb gave the Storm a huge lift off the bench scoring 11 points in the first half.

McBride hit another three-ball to give her eight points. Jewell finished the half with two more free throws and a swirling layup that spun around the rim about three times before dropping as the buzzer sounded.

Minnesota led 48-46 at the midway point. They outshot Seattle 50% (19-38 FG) to 47% (18-38 FG). The Storm actually out-rebounded the Lynx 22-17 through the first twenty minutes.

Napheesa was able to get to the foul line for two points to begin the 2nd half. After that, the Storm went on an 8-0 run to take a 54-50 lead. Collier tied the game at 56-56 with a trey.

After the Storm took the lead on an AND1 by Loyd, Minnesota scored eight straight points including five points from McBride and a triple from Rachel Banham. Seattle answered immediately with their own 9-0 run. Dojkić and Whitcomb each knocked down three-pointers and Dulcy was able to score inside the paint.

Whitcomb hit another triple but Diamond Miller matched it in the closing moments of the third period.

Jewell hit back-to-back three-pointers to begin the fourth. Collier and Juhász scored inside the paint for Minnesota.

Miller sank one of two free throws to cut the Storm’s lead down to one at 81-80. Juhász then put Minnesota back on top with a layup. Jewell was able to drive the rim and forced the foul against Miller. Loyd made both free throws to give Seattle the lead.

With two minutes left in the game, Jewell was the only Storm player to score in the 4th quarter. Collier made back-to-back baskets to put the Lynx up three at 86-83. Coach Quinn called a timeout to set up a play with about a minute left in the game. Out of the timeout, Ezi had a free lane to the rim and blew the layup. Magbegor was able to get fouled on Seattle’s next possession and she sank both free throws to cut Minnesota’s lead down to one.

Juhász was able to draw a foul and split the two free throws. After Seattle’s last timeout, they let Jewell go to work. Loyd drove past two defenders and lofted a ball up into the rim to tie the game at 87-87 with 22 seconds left.

Loyd was then able to steal the ball from Collier with four seconds left. Seattle didn’t have any timeouts so she had to dribble up the court and throw up a prayer that nearly went in.

To begin the overtime period, Dojkić badly missed a three but Ezi was able to get the offensive rebound and found Whitcomb who buried her 5th three-ball of the game. Lindsay Allen was able to draw an AND1 at the rim to tie the game. Loyd then knocked down another three before Collier got to the foul line.

Jewell hit a turnaround jumper to give her 41 points and a new career-high. McBride countered with another shot from beyond the arc to tie the game at 95-95. Sami then missed a layup but Dulcy was able to grab the offensive rebound and put it back in to put Seattle back up by two.

Minnesota called a timeout with 17 seconds left in the game. They drew up a play and Diamond Miller got to the rim and tied the game at 97-97 with 11 seconds left. Coach Quinn then called a timeout for Seattle.

As Ivana Dojkić inbounded the ball near midcourt to Loyd, Jewell was immediately trapped. There was some contact but no foul was called. Loyd tried to escape the double team but dribbled the ball off of her foot and out of bounds. This allowed the Lynx to take the final shot of overtime.

They got the ball to their star player. Collier went to work and hit a contested 10-foot jumper with less than two seconds left in the game. Seattle didn’t have any more timeouts and was forced to throw up a 90-foot shot at the buzzer. As the shot was way off, the Lynx erupted in cheers and surrounded Collier in support of the game’s hero.

Additional Analysis

Roster Move

About an hour before tip-off, the Seattle Storm announced that they had waived SG Arella Guirantes. Guirantes had failed to gain traction in the lineup. She averaged just 5 MPG in nine games with Seattle this year. Guirantes scored 1.3 PPG during her time.

“Arella has given us her best effort. I’m glad that we had an opportunity to see her up close and personal. She’s been doing amazing in Europe. I thank her for her contributions. She is an amazing person and an amazing teammate and that’s all I’ll say about that.” Quinn said.

It’s interesting that this move was made at this time. While Coach Quinn wouldn’t speak about any further roster moves being made one would have to believe the Storm are up to something. I don’t really see them dropping a player without a reason for it. Especially with guard/forward Jordan Horston currently out with an injury.

Until the season is over I’m sure every time the Storm make a roster move the fans will speculate on whether or not Gabby Williams is returning to the team.

If it’s not Williams, maybe it’s another player that has recently hit the waiver wire. The Phoenix Mercury released Evina Westbrook last Thursday. Seattle drafted Westbrook last season but opted to keep aging veterans like Epiphanny Prince for one last run at the Championship with Bird and Stewart.

Dallas also recently added Odyssey Sims and was forced to release both Jasmine Dickey and rookie Ashley Joens. Maybe they look to bring in one of those players.

Or maybe the team brings back Kaila Charles. Charles was slightly more effective than Guirantes but was cut earlier this season in favor of adding a more true post-player in Joyner Holmes.

Sami’s Spark

It’s been great to see Sami Whitcomb playing so well lately. She didn’t get off to the best start this season missing a lot of shots she normally makes. But she’s been on fire over these past three games. Whitcomb has scored 22, 20, and 14 points over this past week.

I was supportive of her re-signing with Seattle this off-season because I know that she can produce instant offense for any team she’s on. She’s never going to be a #1 option for a franchise but in a year where the Storm desperately needs more scorers not named Jewell Loyd, it’s been great to see Sami help fill that role.

When a team has two deadly shooters on it things can get really exciting. One can look at what Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have done for the Golden State Warriors to see how beneficial that can be. We saw that tonight with Jewell and Sami.

If Loyd is scoring 25-30-40 points and Whitcomb is also knocking down multiple threes and scoring 15-25 points it opens up so many things for the Storm’s offense.

After the game, I spoke with both Whitcomb and Coach Quinn about what that can do for the team’s offense when both players are firing on all cylinders.

“It helps us a lot. Right now we are shooting the three very efficiently. We can get into the open floor, in transition, and find our snipers. I think we are better off. We are not a physical team. Getting points in the paint is not our MO. If we can stretch the defense and be consistent shooters, I think it helps the way in which we want to play.” Quinn stated.

“Yeah, I think it just changes how our spacing, how they defend us. They stay a lot closer to us. On that strong side corner and someone comes off of an on-ball (screen) they don’t leave us. Typically, it opens up that post, that pocket pass, and action for them. And they obviously don’t want to leave that person, then hopefully it opens up the on-ball. For sure, I think it really helps with the spacing and people’s ability to get downhill and get to the rim more.” Whitcomb added.

Learning Lessons

While the team is disappointed and dejected after losing such a close game. This was a great learning opportunity for this young team. This game was tied entering the 4th quarter and was close throughout that entire quarter plus overtime. Nearly every single possession over the final 15 minutes was of critical importance. Even if players like Loyd and Whitcomb have been here before, this was a very important game and experience for the others like Ezi Magbegor, Ivana Dojkić, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, etc.

I include Ezi on that list because even though she’s won a WNBA Championship in 2020 and has played an important role with the team she’s never been THE post player for the franchise until this year. She could always rely on Stewie, Natasha Howard in 2020, or Tina Charles in 2022. This year and likely for the next several years, it’ll be Magbegor in that role having to play tough defense or score in the post for her team in critical moments.

She needed to be better in closing out this game. Not only did Magbegor not score at all in the OT period, she didn’t even attempt a single shot. Ezi also only scored two points in the 4th quarter. Over the final 15 minutes, the Storm’s best post player only scored two points. That’s why this game and this moment are so important for the team’s development. Even if Seattle ultimately ended up losing the game.

After the game, Coach Quinn talked about the value of playing in moments like this.

“It’s very important. We spoke about that in the locker room. In our season, we’ve experienced a lot of being down and coming back in games. Being up and having to hold onto leads. And now an overtime game. The reps that our players get will be very beneficial in the long run.” Quinn answered.

I also got feedback from Sami.

“We’ve been talking about that, even just starting the game. How important it is to establish and set the tone for those first few minutes. In those possessions. We know we are a team who can’t afford to lose that possession whether it’s turnovers, rebounds, all of that. Obviously, those reps in those moments are really critical for us to develop and to learn. But like Jewell said, it came down to rebounding for us or turnovers and making sure we’re executing. Yes, that’ll be the takeaway for this game but that’s been our takeaway from multiple games. We knew that, coming into this. I don’t think we learned anything from this. We just missed some opportunities to execute what I think we’ve learned from previous games honestly.” Whitcomb answered.

She went on to compliment Dulcy’s production.

“(Dulcy) beats up people honestly. And I mean that in a really, really positive way. She’s really strong. I think people don’t really know how to ref that. They think she’s hitting people, bullying people. But she’s really strong. She goes and gets rebounds. She sets great screens. And I think eventually, that’ll translate to less fouls. Probably and hopefully more possessions for us. She plays so hard. She’s fearless. I think that strength is really valuable to us. And hopefully, she’s someone that really would have benefitted from the possessions, the overtime, and those minutes tonight because she really hasn’t had that as much. I hope we get to see more of her. She works and she’s got heart.” Sami added.

Up Next

The Seattle Storm (4-11) host Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and the rest of the New York Liberty (10-4) on Sunday, July 2nd at 3:00 PM. It will be Stewart’s final trip to the Emerald City this season. After this game, the team will head out on the road for a couple of weeks for a four-game road trip.

Notes:
Follow my Twitter (@WNBAStormChaser)
Photo Credits to Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography
Thanks for all the great support! Please tell other Storm fans about my coverage.