Preseason: Storm defeat Sparks 81-68
Jewell and Stewie both dominated as they led Seattle to victory.
(Seattle, WA) - A late rally by the Los Angeles Sparks was not enough to overcome a dominant performance through the first three quarters by the Storm. Seattle led 66-41 through the third period. The Storm looked like a well-oiled machine in mid-season form dominating the first quarter 31-15 behind a blistering output from Jewell Loyd. They never looked back ultimately winning the game 81-68.
Breanna Stewart led the team in scoring with 20 points and a team-high four assists. She connected on 7-11 FG and 3-5 from beyond the arc. Jewell finished with 18 points on 6-12 FG shooting and 4-8 from three. Loyd also had six rebounds and three assists.
Young Ezi Magbegor looked great in 17 minutes of action scoring nine points and pulling down a team-high eight rebounds. She was also tied with Raina Perez for a team-high two steals.
“I think Ezi is continuing to grow and mature. It’s kinda nuts but it’s year three for her and she’s still so young. She continues to evolve and work to reach her potential. For her to be real comfortable early is great for us. The same with Jantel, obviously hasn’t been a part of a team before but trying to be a vet to a lot of younger players. She’s learning our style and I think she’s going to be a great addition for us.” Stewart told me after the game.
Sue Bird did not play in this game and sat out just as a precaution. Coach Quinn said she’s looked great in camp so far, maybe in the best shape out of anyone.
The Sparks also rested star center Liz Cambage. Katie Lou-Samuelson who was traded from Seattle to Los Angles is still overseas and was not available to play in this game. Nneka Ogwumike played just six minutes in the first period and then sat the rest of the game.
Los Angeles was led by rookie Olivia Nelson-Ododa who really impressed with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in the game. That may have been the best game I’ve seen Nelson-Ododa play. I’m not sure if I ever saw a Connecticut Huskies game where she looked that good. She was strong down low, getting lots of rebounds and connected on 50% of her shots.
After the game, the media spoke with Coach Quinn as she gave her thoughts on how things played out.
“I thought it was a really good effort. With preseason games, it’s a mix of trying to see where we are and how certain lineups play with one another. There’s a lot that goes into our preparation. We saw some really good things from everyone that played tonight. A lot of contributions from our entire team. We were locked in on the defensive end and we had good fluidity offensively. Overall, I thought the effort was there from top to bottom. It feels good to be on the winning side of things” Quinn told us.
I asked Coach Quinn if there was anything that impressed her more than she was expecting and the areas she wants the team to work on.
“I thought from the jump, we want to play at a really high level with pace, I thought our conditioning was really good especially just a week into camp. I thought our execution was there. Seeing our young players fitting well into our system,” she told me.
“We still need to clean up our rebounding. We gave up a lot of offensive boards. But our transition defense was good only giving up two fastbreak points. We had a few turnovers in the first half,” Quinn stated.
I also asked Coach Quinn what she saw from Jantel Lavender and Ezi Magbegor as I thought they both had impressive games.
“Jantel is a consummate pro. She’s been in this league. She knows how to win and conduct herself as a pro. From Day 1, her energy level, her attentiveness to detail, her passion, that’s what you saw today. You throw in execution, her high IQ, the dog mentality - all of those things make up Jantel. She’s a very good complementary piece,” Quinn stated.
“We talked the other day, we expect a lot out of Ezi this year. Giving her the opportunity and letting her wings fly a little bit. You see it, she’s super athletic up and down the floor. She even pushed the ball up the floor. She did have a turnover, but just the confidence in her ball-handling and decision-making. It’s the evolution of a young player playing confident and contributing the way she did,” coach added.
Game Breakdown
Jewell Loyd scored the first points of the preseason on a beautiful pass from Ezi Magbegor who was bringing the ball up the court like a point guard. Jewell then connected on a three in the left corner. Jordin Canada responded with a three of her own for the LA Sparks.
Jantel Lavender checked in and immediately knocked down a three-pointer. Jewell hit another as well and midway through the quarter, the Storm led 15-8. Loyd’s hot shooting continued throughout the quarter connecting on 5-6 FG including 3-4 from beyond the arc. She finished the period with 15 points to lead Seattle.
The Storm led the Sparks 31-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams’ reserves really struggled through the first three minutes of the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles managed just three points and Storm only two, a jumper by undrafted Raina Perez.
Coach Quinn called timeout and subbed all the starters back in. Breanna Stewart went to work scoring 12 points in the quarter.
The dynamic between Stewart and Loyd makes the Storm a legit contender every single season they play together. Both players can absolutely take over a quarter at any given moment as we saw through the first half in Seattle.
The home team took a 19-point lead (47-28) into the locker rooms at the half. Seattle’s dynamic duo of Jewell Loyd (15 points) and Breanna Stewart (14 points) did the majority of the damage to the Sparks. Seattle shot 53% (17-32) while holding Los Angeles to just 23% FG shooting (9-40).
Just as we saw in the first half, Loyd scored the first points of the 2nd half. This time draining a three off an offensive rebound. Not to be outdone Breanna Stewart came down the next possession and drilled a triple of her own.
Seattle went on a 13-5 run early in the third quarter that forced another timeout by Los Angeles.
Both Evina Westbrook and Elissa Cunane scored their first points (of the preseason) in the third. Westbrook on a three and Cunane a short jump hook off an offensive rebound. Evina had passed up a three-pointer a couple of possessions earlier and afterward, Jewell went up to her and told her to shoot the ball next time.
The fourth quarter was reserved for most of the end of bench players for both teams.
Amy Atwell had a nice three and a good cut to the basket for the Sparks. LA completely outplayed Seattle in the 4th quarter outscoring them 27-15. At one point cut Seattle’s 29-point lead to single digits.
Jantel Lavender impresses in Storm debut
When Jantel Lavender checked in she immediately made an impact by knocking down a three. She also had an impressive baby hook in the paint and another mid-range jumper to give her seven points in the first quarter. Lavender played just 10 minutes but looked great out there. She also had an impact on the defensive end being credited with two blocked shots.
I spoke with Jantel after the game to talk about her first game with the Storm.
”For the entire year, I know this team offensively is extremely talented with Breanna Stewart, Ezi, etc. I know that my role is to just come in and bring energy. That’s my focus this season. I know Stewie is coming off an injury. I’m a vet, I can fit in in a lot of different places. I’ve won 6th woman of the year. I’m just used to playing a role and now I’ve got my body in shape and it’s good to be on a team that’s won championships and has that championship culture.”
I asked her about the performances of Jewell and Stewie and how they took over the game during the first half.
“It’s amazing. Just to see how offensively talented Jewell is. Stewie too. It makes the game easy. I just have to create space and get to a spot. If they get caught in a bind, I just make sure that I’m spotted up and ready to shoot the ball. Just as Stewie did that drive and kick when I came into the game. They’re going to draw a lot of attention. I just have to help make their life easy and play my role” Lavender told me.
We then talked about Ezi’s performance.
“She’s so athletic. She’s so young. Her future is bright as hell! Just being 22-years old, to be that athletic and play in the rounds of the WNBA already you can see her progress. She’s so positive, her athletic ability, her rebounding, making those extra plays. It’s going to be a fun year!”
Lastly, the message coach gave them after the game.
”Just stay tight. Just stay in the realm of what our offense is. We didn’t get as many deflections and gave up some easy shots. But just stay locked in, when you’re on the bench you have to stay ready. I feel I proved that to them (the rookies), I talked to them, you have to stay ready in this league. You can’t get ready while in the game. You have to focus on the group that’s out there, don’t come in and make the same mistakes and you’ll be good to go” Jantel said after the game.
Mixed Results for the Rookies
An important piece of the preseason is the ability to evaluate the rookies that may or may not make the final WNBA roster. With several players still missing including Gabby Williams, Briann January, Kennedy Burke, and Mercedes Russell (injured), the Storm played six rookies in this game. The two draft picks, Evina Westbrook and Elissa Cunane, and four additional training camp invitees.
Of all the players, Raina Perez (NC State) was by far the most impressive in this game. She played nearly 20 minutes and led all rookies in scoring with nine points on 4-8 FG shooting. She also had three rebounds and two steals.
Westbrook played nearly 15 minutes with minimal stats. She knocked down just 1-5 FG, a three-pointer in the third period. One good thing is that she didn’t have any turnovers and didn’t look completely out of place.
She did have this beautiful steal and assist to Stewie that you can watch in the clip below.
After the game, I spoke to Jewell about their performances.
“They came into camp focused, ready to go, and ready to learn. They’ve been doing that in practice, so seeing it tonight wasn’t a shock to us. They’ve earned that right to come out and be aggressive. They’ve got some sauce, Raina has some sauce. If you work hard, you see the fruits of your labor and it’s pretty awesome to see.” Loyd answered.
Cunane played 14 minutes scoring three points on 1-4 FG shooting. She did have five rebounds. Unfortunately, she had a team-worst -15 in the plus/minus category. And she was significantly outplayed by the Sparks’ Olivia Nelson-Ododa who was selected two picks after Cunane in the WNBA Draft. At one point, Nelson-Ododa out-muscled Cunane for a rebound, shrugging her off to the floor, and then made the easy layup afterward.
With the other rookies, Jenna Giacone played 12 minutes and scored five points. Paisley Harding played around eight minutes and went 0-3 scoring zero points. Lauren Manis connected on a single free throw scoring one point in five minutes of action.
Up Next
The Storm play one more preseason game in Phoenix on Thursday, April 28th at 7:00 PM. Then the season opener is back at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday, May 6th where Seattle will host the Minnesota Lynx.
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Photo Credits to Neil Enns/Storm Photography.