Fast and furious: Storm use 21-point comeback against Sparks to earn first victory on season
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – After a brutal blowout to start the season and three tightly contest losses, the Seattle Storm have won their first game of 2023 with a 66-63 comeback victory against the Los Angeles Sparks. The game forecast seemed dark and difficult early on, as Los Angeles was able to hold a 21-point lead at one point, before the Storm were able to channel their energy into impact with strong defensive and crafty baskets. Seattle shooting guard Jewell Loyd continues her hit streak to begin the season, pouring in 25 points while tallying her 4,000th-career point, all in a Storm uniform. The puzzle pieces continue to come together for Seattle, whose rookies were impressive in this contest while veterans Loyd and Ezi Magbegor had strong efforts to propel the team forward.
“That was a great effort from our group super excited for this group to see the fruits of their labor. Being rewarded by a win, and it’s not just the win, but the how. This is a good step for us and we will continue to learn, grow and get better but I’m super happy for this group, how we fought and how we stick stay together, never wavered through our effort tonight.”
Brutal beginning
Seattle had been able to start every game of their young season so far with a quick burst of energy that either got them ahead of their opponent or keep them around, but the Storm were instantly pushed aside by the Sparks in this contest. Los Angeles was getting whatever they wanted out on the perimeter, and while Seattle tried to focus on that to get things turned around, the Sparks found their way inside for some easy points in the paint. It was the perfect sort of recipe for how to start the ballgame, Los Angeles had things clicking on all cylinders, and it was looking really ugly for a Seattle team that was still searching for its first victory on the season. Poor shooting on the offensive end for the Storm wasn’t matching what the Sparks were able to do, and it appeared to be gloomy for Seattle.
Dulling the Spark(s)
After that brutal first quarter, the Storm were able to remain level-headed and get into their defensive switches to frustrate a Sparks team that had taken great care of the ball to begin the year. Despite Los Angeles leading the WNBA in fewest turnovers, Seattle found a way to frustrate the Sparks and help ignite their own offensive attack with pace and defensive presence. Through their switching and their activity on defense, Seattle frustrated Los Angeles’ offensive approach and forced plenty of turnovers, turning defense into offense. Considering that the Storm have the most fast break points per game, that sort of defensive persistence played right into their favor to help Seattle claw right back into this game.
The energy that the Storm brought throughout the course of the game was huge in their comeback, as while they didn’t shoot the ball very efficiently, Seattle’s hustle and pace got them back level. Rookie Jordan Horston’s effort and energy was huge in this game, which may be a big launching point for her and her confidence. Horston’s pace and shot making became a big factor, and with how comfortable she’s getting and appeared to get tonight, it looks like we will get the best version of Horston possible. The rest of the team played off Horston and Jewell Loyd, who led the game offensively and with their defensive activity, and before the Sparks knew what hit them, Seattle had a lead.
Jewell and Jordan lead the way
As mentioned, guards Jewell Loyd and Jordan Horston led the way for this Storm team as they fought their way back into the game despite having to do so for the second largest comeback in franchise history. With the Storm having a “buddy” system in place for accountability and team bonding, Loyd and Horston were paired in what seems like a perfect coupling. The dynamic guards represent the present and future of this franchise, while Loyd’s leadership, knowledge, and support could be huge for turning Horston into an immediate impact player more and more as the season progresses. Loyd’s historic mark of hitting her 4,000th career point gets a big headline, and notably so, but her continued shot making ability and defensive approach continues to make her an incredibly valuable player. Horston’s length and dynamic ability on offense have fans excited, and those at Climate Pledge Arena got their best taste yet of that when Horston tallied her career-high 14 points while showing the defensive length.
Youth movement
As previously mentioned, the rookies for the Storm got big, important minutes for the team in tonight’s victory. Every rookie on the team's 13 player roster was able to log minutes in this game, and all of them played a key role in the team's comeback that carried through the third quarter. With all four rookies coming off the bench, Seattle didn’t get their presence until later in the game when substitutions were made. The four of Melbourne, Fankam Mendjiadeu, Horston, and Dojkic came in to make a big impact and played most of the third quarter, an effort in which Seattle continued their fiery effort to get the lead and hold on to it.
Jade Melbourne, despite not scoring in this contest, continues to show potential and playmaking at the point guard position that may soon factor into her starting. Fankam Mendjiadeu had ups and downs in her first real minutes for the Storm, but displayed good rebounding tools and was able to help offensively. Horston had her best game yet, and the confidence boost should be big towards her continued improving play. Dojkic finally got back into real minutes, and was able to provide the same spark we saw in the Aces game when she checked in. Those four will be big towards the continued success of the team not only now, but going forward as well. Getting them minutes in crucial parts of the game will only further that sort of development and confidence.
“Well, with another day of preparation, our rookies were more on point with their coverages, that’s the way we want to play. You know our group because how hard they work, but we have to be on point and locked in with our scout. I thought that with an extra layer and day of knowing and being attentive to detail, they were more aggressive because they were confident in our coverages. Then on the offensive end, just playing honestly, playing freely, playing in space playing with pace, and utilizing their individual skill sets to make some good plays.”
“Dulcy is very smart. She’s picked up our system, I I’ve been wanting to play her. Just finding moments, I had a conversation with her and said that today was going to be the day. She’s just been physical, she’s rebounding, she found Ezi in the paint, she finished. It’s just another layer of physicality as sometimes we miss, especially with our post players. More offensively, she came as a four, she sets amazing screens and they’re these things that don’t show up in the stat sheet that she does.”
Quick notes
Seattle (1-4) was the last team in the WNBA to get into the win column
Ezi Magbegor recorded her third double-double of the season, this one with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Seattle’s previous biggest comeback was from 22 points behind against the Houston Comets on May 19, 2007, in a season-opening 82-69 victory.
They also had a 21-point rally against Phoenix on May 22, 2008, to pull out an 87-83 decision.
Seattle allowing 63 points was the fewest they’ve allowed this season by a long way.
Their previous low was 86 last Tuesday against the New York Liberty.
The Storm streak of making at least five 3-pointers in a game ended at 43-straight after they hit 4-of-20 on Tuesday, snapping what had been the second-longest streak in WNBA history.
The last time they had fewer than five was Sept. 2, 2021, making just two against New York.
What’s next?
The Storm will take a few days off/train ahead of their next battle, the first of two in as many games against the Washington Mystics. The two battles over the course of this weekend will include festivities for the legendary Sue Bird, who is having her jersey retired and put amongst the Climate Pledge Arena rafters on the Sunday, May 11th battle against the Washington Mystics. Before that game, prior to the Friday, May 9th contest against the Mystics, the Storm will be revealing a mural dedicated to Sue Birds career in addition to Bird herself having the banner flown from the top of the iconic Space Needle. It’s sure to be a busy weekend for Seattle, who aims to build off this win, and it continues with that next game on May 9th against the Mystics with a 7PM PST tip off.