Storm avoid nightmare end to homestand with 72-60 win over Atlanta Dream
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Storm ended their historic eight game homestand with a satisfying victory against the Atlanta Dream. There were shades of Seattle’s past two games, losses that came due to an inability to finish. That wouldn’t be the case, and one instance in particular was a perfect example of it. In the fourth quarter, the Dream went on a 13-point run to bring them within striking distance. Instead of failing to respond, Breanna Stewart hit a three pointer and the Storm were able to pull away.
Everything I touch turns to gold
Seattle’s point guard Jewell Loyd continues her hot form from a breakout 2021 campaign. Loyd, nicknamed the Gold Mamba, again led the team in scoring with 26 points. Loyd sparked the offense, including a 13-point first quarter. The Gold Mamba also was one of only two players to get to the free throw line, going a perfect six for six. Loyd’s offensive fire is a primary factor in Seattle’s ability to contend, and she discussed her night postgame.
“I don’t think the basket felt any bigger, I was getting some good rhythm shots from my teammates getting me open, taking what the defense gave me. I was just trying to make the game as simple as possible. Night by night, we don’t know what defenses will do, but knowing that regardless of that I can pass it to these guys (referring to Stewart and Magbegor), we’re in good hands”
For momentums sake, Seattle needed to bounce back from their last two losses. Having leads, failing to hit shots, and just looking like a shell of who they are made some worried about the Storm. It is early, and the Storm are growing, and some of that growth showed in this win. Seattle closed out this game with timely buckets and stiff defense, holding young stars Rhyne Howard and Aari McDonald to 18 points collectively.
An eight game homestand is tied for the longest in WNBA history, and it is a big opportunity for the team in question to build chemistry. Over the course of those eight games, Seattle finishes the set with a 5-3 record. The Storm will now prepare for a five-game road trip, featuring rematches the last two teams they lost to in Dallas and Connecticut. With limited practice reps, Seattle will have to build chemistry and work towards contending in-game. Head coach Noelle Quinn would discuss how the team will do that postgame
“We don’t have practice time. We will have to find ways to get better in game, watching film in those sessions. Feeling the rhythm, feeling the cadence, feeling the chemistry with each other, it has to happen fast and immediately. In games like this, we show the team that we can be when we have our film sessions”
Seattle’s next matchup comes on Friday, June 10th against the Dallas Wings. The Storm will start their road trip in Dallas, with a 5PM PST tip off. Seattle will look to contain the back court of Arike Ogunbowale, Allisha Gray, and Marina Mabrey better than the first time that the two teams matched up. Those three together accounted for more than half of the Wings points.