Unacceptable and Embarrassed, Storm lose 74-72

The Washington Mystics stunned the Storm in Seattle on Monday night.

*Disclaimer: Strong language in the article below

(Seattle, WA) - “In this league, if you aren't ready to play, you'll get beat every fucking night. They were ready to play and we weren't, on both sides of the basketball. They deserved to win the game if we're gonna play like that. We need to be hitting our stride right now. We're not there. It's unacceptable how we're playing on both sides of the basketball. And I fucked it up at the end. That's a terrible foul as a vet. You can't make that play, but it shouldn't come down to that. We all gotta step our game up. In this league, it only gets harder after the break. And that's fine. That's fine. But if we don't come ready to play from the start, we're going to fucking lose.” Skylar Diggins-Smith said in frustration after the game.

“We weren't locked into our coverages. Offense, we weren't connected. Obviously, the last couple of possessions are what we're going to remember, but we didn't play this game with the correct energy or mindset…. I take full responsibility for my team not playing up to the capacity that we should. But at the end of the day, we have to move forward and prepare for the next opponent.” Coach Noelle Quinn added.

The Seattle Storm were outplayed and embarrassed by the Washington Mystics on Monday night as they lost 74-72. The team lacked energy, focus, and hustle as they trailed throughout most of the game. It’s Seattle’s third loss in their first four games back from the Paris Olympics.

No one on the team played particularly well. Jewell Loyd led the way with 16 points but was not efficient converting just 5-18 FG. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 10 points and eight assists but shot just 40%. The 10 points was also her lowest point total since WNBA teams resumed play this month. Nneka Ogwumike had maybe her least efficient game as a member of the Storm. Several of her shots that she normally makes were short or rimmed out. Ogwumike finished with just 9 points on 4-14 FG. She did have a team-high 10 rebounds.

Arguably, Seattle’s two best players came from their bench. Sami Whitcomb totaled 11 points and Mercedes Russell added eight points. Both players shot 50% or better from the floor. They were both part of Seattle’s best quarter in the second period where the Storm outscored the Mystics 24-18. It was the only quarter Seattle won.

“I just don't think we had a good pace about ourselves. We weren't quick to the next actions and I just think that they were more energized, (they) played with a little bit more pride. It's nothing strategically or schematically that they were doing that we haven't seen. We gotta hit shots.” Quinn stated.

Coach Quinn went on to talk about the issues she was seeing with her team.

“I think it's fundamental. Sometimes we just don't box out. We're looking at a team that takes a lot of threes. Those long rebounds are going to happen and we're slow to balls. 50-50 balls, they're out-hustling us, out-rebounding us. That's a desire thing sometimes. It's not a technical thing. We weren't very good at that. And we haven't been, honestly, since the break.” Coach said.

Washington Mystics

Brittney Sykes led the way with a game-high 20 points. She also nailed the game-winning free throws in the final seconds of the game. Sykes knocked down two three-pointers in the first period that helped Washington set the tone and take an early lead. She was a perfect 4-4 FG in the opening salvo scoring 10 points in the first 10 minutes.

Sykes wasn’t alone. The Mystics had four players score in double figures. That included Julie Vanloo who scored 11 points and two players off the bench. Emily Engstler had one of her best games of the season. She scored 12 points in 17 minutes on 5-8 FG shooting. She nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored six of her 11 points in the 4th quarter to help Washington retake the lead.

The Mystics outshot the Storm 44% (30-68 FG) to 38% (28-74 FG). Washington was red-hot from the three-point line early shooting 70% (7-10 FG) midway through the second quarter before cooling down significantly in the second half. They finished shooting 31% (9-29 FG) from long range which was also better than Seattle.

Washington out-rebounded the Storm 42-33. They also out-paced Seattle 17-8 in fast break points.

Game Breakdown

Nneka Ogwumike knocked in a corner three after the Mystics attempted to trap Skylar Diggins-Smith. Brittney Sykes responded with a three-ball on the other end. Sykes then found Shakira Austin open under the rim for two. Sykes hit another triple after Diggins-Smith missed her shot to quickly put the Mystics up 8-3.

Jewell Loyd scored her first basket from an offensive rebound. Ezi Magbegor then knocked in a corner three to tie the game. Austin scored again. Then the Mystics fed Stefanie Dolson down low for two. Another deep jumper by Sykes put the Mystics up six at 14-8 midway through the first quarter. Sykes made another basket as the Mystics doubled up the Storm.

Sami Whitcomb checked in and immediately knocked in a three-pointer. Jewell Loyd was fouled on a jumper and made both free throws. Nneka Ogwumike stole a pass away from Jade Melbourne and raced down the other end for two. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored on a fast break. Loyd responded with a hard drive to the rim. Julie Vanloo drilled back-to-back three-pointers to push the Mystics’ lead back up to seven.

Mercedes Russell finished through contact at the rim. At the end of the first, the Mystics led 24-19. Brittney Sykes led all scorers with 10 points in the opening quarter. Julie Vanloo (Mystics) and Jewell Loyd each had six points.

Shatoria Walker-Kimbrough made a three-pointer to begin the second quarter. Mercedes Russell scored on a nice cut to the rim and feed from Magbegor. Sykes was fouled and made both free throws. Shortly after that, Sami Whitcomb stole a pass in the open court and raced to the rim for two. Julie Vanloo hit her third three-ball of the half to quiet the crowd momentarily.

Jordan Horston had a strong drive to the rim. Gabby Williams then got a steal and fed the ball to Magbegor for a basket. Washington Mystics’ head coach Eric Thibault called a timeout. His team responded immediately. Emily Engstler drilled a three-pointer and then converted a layup. That pushed the Mystics lead back up to nine at 37-28.

After Seattle’s timeout, Nneka Ogwumike knocked in a midrange jumper. Then Skylar Diggins-Smith completed an AND1 with a layup down the baseline where she was fouled. Engstler drilled another three-pointer.

Mercedes Russell tapped an offensive rebound to Skylar and then Diggins-Smith buried a shot from beyond the arc. Gabby Williams scored her first basket of the season (her first game) on a cut to the rim. She was fouled and made the free throw to complete the AND1 opportunity. Seattle then finished the half with some great passing that saw Nneka find Mercedes open down low for the layup. The Storm finished the first half on an 8-0 run to take a 43-42 lead into the break.

On the first possession of the 2nd half, Shakira Austin went down with an ugly-looking knee or ankle injury. She had to be helped to the back room by her teammates. After play resumed, Seattle grabbed the defensive rebound and pushed the pace where Skylar found Jordan Horston streaking to the basket for two. Stef Dolson used a crisp pass to Aaliyah Edwards for two. Jordan was fouled driving to the rim again and made both free throws. Jewell Loyd buried a corner three to put Seattle up six. Washington responded immediately with a three from Dolson and a drive to the rim by Sykes. Jewell hit another three in that same corner.

Jade Melbourne scored through contact at the rim to cut Seattle’s lead back down to two. After turnovers by both teams, Loyd was able to get a steal in the open court that led to another transition basket. Melbourne scored again with the AND1 to cut the Storm’s lead down to one. Julie Vanloo gave the Mystics the lead with a high-arching jumper in the paint. At the end of the third, the Mystics led 56-55.

Sami Whitcomb made a three-pointer to start the 4th period. Walker-Kimbrough tied the game at 58-58 with a sideline jumper. Whitcomb made a midrange jumper on the next possession. Walker-Kimbrough then scored on a transition layup and another midrange jumper that helped the Mystics regain the lead.

The Mystics out-hustled the Storm on back-to-back possessions that resulted in offensive rebounds and second-chance points. One where Nneka thought someone else was going for the rebound and no one did so Sykes came from the three-point line and ran to the ball and scored with a layup. Another possession where Emily Engstler raised up for the offensive rebound despite not having the inside position.

Magbegor scored but Brittney Sykes immediately responded with another drive to the rim. Skylar scored a layup but Washington responded again with Ariel Atkins cutting to the basket for two. Loyd was fouled and made both free throws.

Engstler and Diggins-Smith exchanged baskets. Seattle got the stop they were looking for and Ogwumike caught a missed shot from SDS, spun around, and banked in the tying shot. Seattle got another stop and Gabby Williams collected the defensive rebound. The Storm called a reset timeout to advance the ball with 36 seconds left in the game.

The next possession by Seattle was not ideal. With 36 seconds left, I thought they’d try to score quickly in under 10 seconds to give themselves a chance at a 2-for-1 opportunity to end the game. Instead, Loyd dribbled at the top of the court until there were just a few seconds left on the shot clock and then took a step-back jumper fading to her left. The shot fell short and that allowed Washington to collect the rebound and go for the win. Washington did not take a timeout and Coach Thibault let them play it out. Brittney Sykes dribbled the clock down and took a contested shot with one second left in the game. Unfortunately for the Storm, it was a little too contested as Diggins-Smith fouled Sykes on the shot.

Sykes needed just one point to seal the game away and she made both free throws. The Storm did have one last timeout to advance the ball with one second remaining in the game. They tossed the ball into Ogwumike with her back to the basket and the ball got partially deflected, with no time to recover the ball the game was over. Washington celebrated with their teammates as they pulled off the big upset.

Coach Quinn talked more about the lack of hustle and effort in the post-game press conference. She was asked if there was anything more she could do to fix the effort issue.

“I'm not on the court. I'm not on the court. We're not on the court. So it has to come from within. There has to be accountability to that. I wish. I can implore it. I can't help them because I'm not physically on the court.” Quinn stated.

When pressed further, she elaborated.

“We are blessed to have these jobs. And so when you put on a Storm uniform... That should automatically engage pride and effort and all of the things, the intangibles. So yes, I could continue to encourage. Yes, I continue to implore. Yes, continue to give accountability to myself and set the example. But at the end of the day, we're hoping for a living. Stepping on a court should already ignite something within you. Period. It doesn't come down to schemes. It doesn't come down to actions. It just comes down to sometimes playing harder than your opponent. And we're not doing that right now. And we're not doing that together right now. But it's on me. Yeah, you're right. I've got to continue to coach it, figure it out, utilize people who energize us. But at the end of the day, you're putting on a Seattle Storm jersey. That should mean a lot.”

Final Box Score

Additional Analysis

Bench Improvement

Gabby Williams did not have a great shooting night in her first game back with Seattle. She finished with 3 points on 1-5 FG but she did bring some energy and hustle. Williams did what she does best, a bit of everything. Williams got deflections, she had three steals, four rebounds, and four assists. She also had a game-best +7 points in the plus/minus category.

Maybe it was just a coincidence but overall the bench looked the best they have since returning from the Olympic break. While Gabby was doing the little things, it allowed Mercedes to be more effective on offense. Russell had one of her better games tying a season-high with eight points.

The addition of Gabby also allowed Sami to play her more traditional shooting guard role a little more often as Williams and Whitcomb both spent time bringing up the ball with the second unit. That freed Sami up to curl off more screens and knock down more three-pointers.

While it’s still a work in progress, the best part of this game was the overall look and improvement we saw from Seattle’s second unit. If this team is going to be able to do anything in the playoffs, they’re going to need a more consistent second unit that can score and lift the starters when the starters aren’t pulling their weight.

I spoke with Sami Whitcomb after the game about it.

“I think we flowed a little bit. We just got the ball moving. I think we were able to get a few stops as well, which helps. And then I think we were able to get the starters a bit of a blow too, which is super important because obviously it's hard to play heavy minutes in this league back to back to back. It's our job to come in and kind of give that support. And then obviously our starters came back in and they were able to close that half on a really good run as well. I think we need more of that Mercedes. She's really capable of that. She sets great screens. She moves the ball really well. She's got a great interior game and we can get her going that way. It's really nice. And obviously, I'm trying to hit shots when I can and bring some effort and energy defensively. I just really try and give us kind of a bit of whatever, just a punch so that when we get our starters back in, they feel really good. And I thought we did a good job of that to close the half.” Whitcomb replied.

“I didn't think we matched their energy. I think we have to set that tone. They came in and set the tone. When they came in and did that, I didn't think the starters did a good job of doing that. I thought Sami and Cedes were locked in on both sides of the coverage, being aggressive to the basket. Sam getting her the looks that we want her to get, so she has the opportunity for herself. They brought that energy. I think this first unit could do a better job of establishing that in the first and the third quarter.” Diggins-Smith added.

There are No Gimmes

This is another reminder that the WNBA has no weak links. There are no days off. As Skylar said above, “If you aren’t ready to play, you will get beat every single night.”

The Seattle Storm should have won this game. They were a Top 4 team coming into this game. The Mystics were tied for the second-worst record in the league. The Storm had nearly a full week off with plenty of time to rest in their own beds and get plenty of practices in before this game. The Mystics’ best player, Shakira Austin, suffered a significant injury 15 seconds into the 2nd half and missed the final 20 minutes of the game. There was no legitimate reason why the Storm should have lost this game and yet they did.

They lost because they were outplayed and out-hustled throughout the 40 minutes. Washington’s players simply wanted to win more than Seattle’s. With just 12 teams and roughly 140 players, there are no gimmes. If you don’t bring your absolute best. If you don’t bring the effort and hustle. You will not be handed a thing. Seattle hopefully learned that lesson the hard way on Monday night.

“We all have to look at ourselves in the mirror and hold ourselves accountable, I think we have to show up and be more prepared, be more locked in. I don't know if maybe, I don't think we did, but maybe we thought, ‘Well, DC is a team that's struggling a little bit or they're lower on the ladder than us. I don't know, but like (Skylar) said, we have to come prepared every single game for a battle because every team is gonna play hard, fight, and no one's gonna lay down. I think we just have to regroup and figure out how to get back to playing our best basketball because we're not playing our best basketball on either side of the ball.” Whitcomb said after the game.

Who Wants it More?

The Seattle Storm are now 1-3 in their first four games since the Paris Olympics. They have not looked particularly good since their return. They blew a large lead against the Atlanta Dream in the 2nd half. They fell apart in the 4th quarter in their road game against the Indiana Fever. Their lone victory came in a close contest against the Washington Mystics in D.C.. Then after having nearly a week off to rest at home and get practice in, they laid a dud against the Mystics.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces also started their post-Olympic play with a 1-3 record. They lost 79-67 to the New York Liberty and two times to the Minnesota Lynx by a combined 24 points. Las Vegas nearly dropped a game to the Chicago Sky before A’ja Wilson scored the game-winner as time expired.

Both Seattle and Las Vegas have a losing record in August up to this point. These are the two teams that are currently battling it out for the 4th and 5th seeds in the WNBA standings. That is important for a couple of reasons. The way both teams are playing right now, it doesn’t appear very likely that either is going to be able to surpass the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, or Minnesota Lynx. They are 7 games behind New York, four games behind Connecticut, and 3.5 games behind Minnesota. And really that’s 4.5 games behind the Lynx because both the Storm and the Aces have lost the season series to Minnesota.

If the standings hold at four and five, that means that the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces will meet in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs. A position that neither team likely wants to be in. With the talent on each team, it will be a short playoff stint for the losing team.

These games are also critically important because whichever team stays in the 4th seed will have the homecourt advantage in that first-round matchup. Either Seattle or Las Vegas will host the first two games of that 3-game playoff series. That means if the home team holds serve the road team won’t get a single home playoff game in 2024.

After Monday night’s costly loss to the Washington Mystics, Seattle falls to the 5th seed below the Aces. That’s not a spot they want to be in.

Both Seattle and Las Vegas have been floundering in the 2nd half of this season. They both share the same record currently at 18-11. Which team wants it more down the stretch?

Up Next

The Storm (18-11) continue their 3-game home stand on Wednesday when they host the Atlanta Dream (10-19) at 7:00 PM at Climate Pledge Arena.

Notes:
Photo Credits to Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography
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