Seattle Storm fall again to the Phoenix Mercury 69-64

A better performance from Seattle but ultimately it wasn't enough.

(Seattle, WA) - For the second time in less than a week the Seattle Storm fell to the Phoenix Mercury. This time the game was certainly more competitive after the team was blown out by 20 points back on Wednesday by a final score of 97-77. This one was a defensive battle with neither team leading by more than six points throughout the whole game. The lead changed hands 15 separate times. Phoenix led by one point after the first quarter, just two points at the break, and the game was tied entering the 4th and final frame. Ultimately, Phoenix outperformed Seattle during the final stretch of the game thanks to a vintage performance from Diana Taurasi.

“Just a couple of blown assignments defensively (at the end of the game). Holding a team to 69 points, that’s a winnable game. A possession by possession game. Offensively, not being solid with our possessions. We bobbled a possession. We would have had a really good look if we just executed cleanly. At the end of the day, we were in great position to win. Our defense held us steady, we just have to find ways to execute on the other end of the floor.” Coach Noelle Quinn told the media after the game.

Without Breanna Stewart, Mercedes Russell, or Epiphanny Prince the Storm were once-again shorthanded against the Mercury. The team is really struggling offensively without these players. Jewell Loyd was the only Storm player to score in double figures for Seattle as she led all scorers with 26 points. It wasn’t the most efficient shooting night for Loyd who went 8-23 from the floor but she did connect on 5-11 of her 3-PT FG attempts and went to the foul line more than any other player from either team.

Besides Jewell, no one else had a strong offensive game. The entire team shot a paltry 24-77 FG (31%) and 8-31 (26%) from beyond the arc. Ezi Magbegor and Stephanie Talbot were the next leading scorers with eight points each. Gabby Williams had seven points and Jantel Lavender added six points off the bench. But no one really stepped up to be that 2nd and 3rd leading scorers that the team desperately needed with Breanna Stewart out for a second consecutive game.

Speaking with Coach Quinn after the game, I asked about the team’s struggles offensively.

“I think back to my playing days. One time I was overshooting a lot and I wasn’t hitting many shots in the game. Tina Thompson pulled me aside and said it’s not your form, it’s not your mechanics, it’s just your confidence. We’re getting good looks, just settle in, be confident and take the shot. Our offense is predicated on pace, space, movement. That ball finds that correct person and it finds a lot of people. They’re going to get shots. I think they just need to have the confidence to knock it down, be comfortable to know I’m not going to trip if they take an open shot. You’re supposed to. We’re all pros. We all work on it. Just continue to find a groove and rhythm with a mindset to know that I can confidently make my shots.” Coach explained.

Talbot and Magbegor did have large impacts in this game outside of their scoring. Ezi was incredible defensively, setting a new career-high with seven blocks in this game. She also played a large factor in the job to shut down Tina Charles. Charles had just four points in this game, the lowest point-total I can remember for the multi-time All-Star who’s been a nightmare matchup against the Storm over the years.

I asked Coach Quinn about their defensive strategy against Charles for this game and specifically Ezi’s seven-block performance.

“It was a collective effort but the way in which we were switching, Ezi was going to be on her a lot. Though she didn’t start on her, Ezi would finish on (Charles) to end the possession. Tina is an amazing player. We just try to contain her any way we can; sending bodies to her. We have to do our work early. Ezi met her earlier in the paint, playing in her space, we were trapping certain situations. We made sure to always have a body on her. The last game in Phoenix we got disconnected in our schemes; tonight we were locked in and stayed connected to her so she wasn’t given a lot of space. We talk about Ezi all the time, just the growth. Her ability to come and block shots. She’s getting hammered in the paint but finishing through. Just growing and learning on the floor, she was very solid for us.” Quinn told me.

Very early in the game Charles knocked down a shot and I turned to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton and said “Nobody’s blocking that shot except maybe Brittney Griner” referencing Charles unique shot and release point that is at the very top of her outstretched arms. I don’t think it was more than one to two more possessions later than Ezi blocked Charles shot and I was dumb-founded (and impressed).

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“I think it was super important (to come out and play strong). We were without Stewie who is a big defensive presence. Piph as well. I think we all had to step up as a team. That just allows the guards, Jewell to get into scoring positions. I think focusing on defensive keys really helped us out tonight.” Ezi Magbegor said after the game.

Magbegor wasn’t the only one that set a new career-high in a non-scoring stat. Talbot pulled down 14 rebounds and was extremely active on the offensive glass grabbing six O-Boards; she used great hustle plays to make a positive impact on the team. Talbot was inserted in the starting lineup as an undersized starting Power Forward. She made a big difference even in the losing effort.

“She’s Aussie tough. You throw her in the fire and she just remains so solid. Never complains about anything. Her ability to just stretch the floor at the four but also poised and aggressive enough to fight Tina Charles down there. Getting into the arm battles with Taurasi, posting her up a little bit, her versatility allowed us to play that small ball. She’s such a cerebral player, just think about having to change from having to play from the guard position to the post position on all the plays and she did it seamlessly. Just give her credit, she’s tough.” Coach Quinn on Stephanie Talbot’s performance.

I asked Stephanie Talbot about her mindset on hustling so much and setting a career-high in rebounds in this game.

“Stewie’s out, Piph’s out, Cedes is still out. I was playing out of position (in the post), I knew I had do my job to help Ezi inside. Defenisvely, she’s covering a lot, helping me on defense and getting blocks. If I could clean up on rebounds and help push in transition that was my focus.” Talbot added.

The Phoenix Mercury

To the Storm’s credit, from a defensive perspective they did enough to win this game. Diana Taurasi had one of her classic games that shows she still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 39.

It wasn’t just that Taurasi led the Mercury in scoring with 24 points and drained 6-12 three-point shots including several clutch shots throughout the game. But what was the most impressive to me was how efficient Taurasi was with her shooting. She finished the game 8-16 FG (50%). By comparison, Loyd had two more points than Taurasi but shot 8-23 FG (35%).

Two other Mercury players got into double figures. Skylar Diggins-Smith had 14 points and a game-high five assists. Diamond DeShields came off the bench and gave Phoenix some energy scoring 11 points and dishing out four assists.

After the game, Jewell spoke on her interactions with Diana Taurasi late in the game as DT gave her a low-five and was jawing at her.

“She told me to relax a little bit and stop scoring. I told her I learned everything from her. Maybe that was a little foreshadowing - the passing of the torch.” Loyd said.

I asked Taurasi about that as well.

“Her game is so elite right now. She can really do and get to any spot on the court which when you have that confidence as a player the sky is the limit. I think she’s starting to see that on a nightly basis. She can pretty much take over whenever she wants. I think Jewell is one of the hardest working (players). I just love kids that love the game of basketball and she loves the game. What more could you want from a friend and an opponent?” Taurasi told me.

“… There’s still that competitive edge, it’s like playing against your sister or your brother in the front yard you want to beat them really bad but then you’ll go have a beer with them. I just have so much respect for them. We spent so much time on the national team together. During the Japan Olympics, before each game Jewell and I shot together and chatted while getting ready for the game. I just really like her.” Taurasi added.

Game Breakdown

Stephanie Talbot got the Storm going with a three from the wing. After a Tina Charles jumper that connected, Ezi Magbegor rejected Charles on the next possession that led to a fastbreak layup. Phoenix responded with back-to-back threes from Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi to give Phoenix an 8-5 lead. Gabby responded with her own three to tie the game back up. The pace was quick and frantic to begin the game.

Seattle had several shots that just rimmed out. They were getting great looks but just couldn’t get them to fall. Both teams went a couple of minutes without scoring before Diamond DeShields and Stephanie Talbot exchanged a pair of triples.

Both teams shot poorly with Seattle going 5-15 FG (33%) and Phoenix 5-16 (31%). Stephanie Talbot led the Storm with six points while Skylar Diggins-Smith led the Mercury with five. Phoenix led 14-13 after the first quarter.

Phoenix jumped out to a five-point lead (22-17) a few minutes into the second quarter. Taurasi had five points in that span and Sophie Cunningham drilled a three forcing Coach Noelle Quinn to call timeout.

Surprisingly, Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird really struggled offensively out of the gate. Both were held scoreless midway through the 2nd quarter. Loyd was 0-5 and Bird 0-4 during that span.

Briann January gave the Storm a little bit of life scoring five points and getting a steal.

Ezi Magbegor had an incredible block on Diggins-Smith. And another on Diamond DeShields a few moments later. Magbegor had five blocks in the first half of the game!

A technical foul on Skylar Diggins-Smith following by a three from Jewell briefly gave the Storm the lead back at 30-29 with under three to play in the first half.

Tina Charles was able to score down low and Diana Taurasi hit another three, her 4th of the 1st half to give Phoenix a 34-30 lead. A fastbreak between Jewell Loyd and Briann January led to the final basket of the half as the Storm trailed the Mercury 34-32.

This truly was a defensive battle. Seattle shot 34% (13-38 FG) and Phoenix only slightly better at 35% (13-37 FG). The biggest difference was the Mercury’s three-point shooting where they held a 41% (7-17, 3-PT FG) edge compared to the Storm at 27% (4-15, 3-PT FG). Phoenix had a 23-18 rebounding and 11-6 advantage in assists. Seattle did have a 16-8 edge with points in the paint.

Through five minutes of the third quarter Phoenix had only scored two points. However, Seattle was not able to capitalize only scoring four points during that time. The game was tied 36-36 with roughly five minutes left in the period.

Seattle collapsed defensively on Tina Charles and appeared to have the steal but Charles was able deflect the ball just enough to get it to Diggins-Smith who drained a three from the top. Jewell responded with a couple triples of her own to give the Storm their largest lead of the game at 46-42.

Diamond DeShields helped put the Mercury back in the lead with an AND1 layup and foul drawn at 49-47. Jantel Lavender was able to hit a turnaround shot as the shot-clock buzzer went off to tie the game. Seattle had three chances at the end of the quarter thanks to some terrific offensive rebounding. However, Tina Charles blocked Briann January’s shot and Diggins-Smith blocked Talbot to end the quarter.

Multiple offensive possessions gave Jewell Loyd three cracks at it and she converted the third shot, a triple to tie the game at 56-56. Sophie Cunningham quickly buried a three on the other end to put Phoenix back up 59-56 with 5:22 left in the game.

Taurasi shoved Sue Bird out of the way then ran to the corner to bury a three to give the Mercury a 62-59 lead with two and a half minutes to play. Phoenix then found Brianna Turner on a mismatch down low where she was able to convert an easy layup to put Phoenix up five at 64-59.

With the Mercury leading 64-61, Taurasi buried another three as the shot-clock was winding down to put Phoenix up 67-61 with roughly a minute left. Jewell was able to keep Seattle’s hopes alive by burying a three of her own. Gabby Williams then forced an offensive foul on Taurasi. Unfortunately, Jewell had a wide-open lane but lost the handle on the ball with an untimely unforced turnover.

Briann January got another steal but then Seattle was erratic and panicked. Ultimately, throwing the ball into the backcourt for a backcourt violation. Two extremely costly turnovers at the worst possible time for Seattle.

Bird had one last look at a three that would have sent the game into overtime but she missed again. It was only fitting that Diana Taurasi was there to get the rebound and secure the win for Phoenix. Bird finished the game shooting 1-11 FG and a career-worst 0-8 from three-point range. This was also the first game Bird hadn’t made at least one three in over 30 games.

Additional Analysis

The Rivalry of Rivalries

The two greatest guards in WNBA history played against one another in Seattle for what may be the final time ever Saturday afternoon (they’ll play one more time in Phoenix). If it truly was the last time in Seattle, what a rivalry this has been.

With Taurasi winning another regular season game the series is now 25-20 in favor of Bird. However, DT has the playoff advantage winning 8 of 14 games. The Mercury have won four of six playoff series against the Storm. Although two of those series wins were just single-elimination playoff games.

The two players have led their respective franchises to seven total WNBA Championships, combined for 22 All-Star selections, 15 All-WNBA First Team selections total, and have earned five Olympic Gold medals each. Between the two of them they’ve set numerous WNBA records. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

Total Games Played: 553 (Bird)
Total Minutes Played: 17,377 (Bird)
Total Points: 9,222 (Taurasi)
Total Assists: 3,073 (Bird)
Field Goals Made: 2,906 (Taurasi)
Three-Point Field Goals Made: 1,215 (Taurasi)

Sue Bird is also Top 5 (4th overall) in Total Steals: 693

I spoke to Diana Taurasi after the game asking her if she could have ever imagined while both of them were in college that they would go on to become the two greatest guards in WNBA history.

“Probably not. When we were in college we didn’t even think we were that good because Coach (Geno Auriemma) told us that every day. It was probably a lot further down the line where we had this instant connection on the court of how to play, we call it the ‘right way to play’. We try to play that way every time we step onto the court. Obviously, for Sue that’s why (the Storm) are one of the franchises all the teams are trying to model themselves after. She does that for them.” Taurasi told me.

Playoff Format Change Means Less Panic

If you’re a glass-half-full type of person you’re not as concerned about Seattle’s slow start because the playoff format has changed again in the WNBA. No longer do teams have to worry about finishing 3rd through 8th in the regular season and having to play at least one single-elimination game in the postseason. When the WNBA changed to the single-elimination playoff format we’ve seen several top-seeded teams get eliminated earlier than expected.

The Storm were even a victim of this last season. Heading into the Tokyo Olympic break Seattle was the number one overall seed in the WNBA. But a poor 2nd-half to their season resulted in them dropping from 1st to 4th in the league standings. This meant they had to play a single-elimination game against the Phoenix Mercury. And when you have just one game to try and beat Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Skylar Diggins-Smith, let’s just say your chances of doing so are very slim. Seattle fought valiantly without Breanna Stewart but ultimately fell 85-80 in OT. Their season ended earlier than they had planned.

With the new WNBA playoff format changes in 2022, there are no more 1st round byes or automatic byes to the semifinals for the top two seeds. All eight playoff teams will face each other in the first round with the standard matchups of 1/8, 2/7, 3/6, and 4/5.

This is not the start the Storm had planned for entering what may be Sue Bird’s final season. Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan with Mercedes Russell suffering a significant injury prior to training camp. And multiple players on the team getting put under League Health and Safety protocols including superstar Breanna Stewart forcing them to sit out multiple games to begin the year.

The good news, glass-half-full, is that the team has 32 more games left in this season and plenty of time to right the ship.

“Holding a heavy offensive firepower team to 69 points is encouraging. We need to focus on the positives. By no means is it time to press the panic button. We’re in the game without one of our best players on the floor. 30 points combination if you add in what Piph and Stewie has been doing. No telling what Mercedes could do in a game. I’m encouraged.” Quinn told the media.

I pushed Noelle further on that discussing the playoff format changes and if that gives them more leeway.

“That’s a great point. Last year Chicago won a Championship going 16-16. They got hot at the right time. You guys understand our season, yes it’s important to start off on a good note. But with the playoff format (change), being in a series is a completely different thing. You also want to peak and grow at the right time. You don’t want to plateau too fast. You want to play your best basketball at the end of the year. With the playoff format it gives you a chance to do that. No matter what your season looks like. We talk about it being another season but at the same time we’re going through our growing pains and adversity right now. Check us out in a couple of months and see where we are.” Coach Quinn added.

When asked what the message was to the team after starting 1-3 to begin the season, Jewell Loyd said.

“Just stay together. We have a couple of new faces, obviously we’re not at full strength. We know we’re not our whole team yet. Once we get comfortable with our sets and know each other a little better. We have this time to be home and have practices and really come together. That’s perfect for us with everything going on. The season’s not over, we’re just getting started. We know it’s early and obviously we want to feel like ourselves. We’ll get there.”

I had Jewell expand further on that knowing that the playoff format has changed this year and there’s no more single-elimination games to worry about.

“The mindset is kinda like the NBA where you just want to make the playoffs but obviously you want to be playing great basketball towards the end. You want to peak at the right time. It’s hard to turn that switch off and on. We want to make sure we’re focused on the little things. We’ll build off of that. We understand the playoffs are there. We want to play our basketball throughout the season and not just the playoffs.” Loyd added.

Jersey Count

Seattle wore their green and yellow “Explorer” jerseys for this matinee game against the Mercury. It was the first time the team wore these uniforms this season. Unfortunately, it didn’t change their luck as they fell again dropping to 1-3 on the season.

Records per jersey type this season:
Rebel: 1-1
Explorer: 0-1
Heroine: 0-1
Overall Record: 1-3

Up Next

It doesn’t get any easier as the Storm host the defending champions, the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, May 18th at 7:00 PM. The game will be available on Facebook or locally on Fox13+.

Notes: Thanks for everyone’s support, it means the world. Please refer all your friends who love the WNBA and enjoy in-depth coverage of the Storm and the league overall.

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Photo Credits to Neil Enns/Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography Team.