Tides have changed in the Storm and Sky
By Christan Braswell, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - After a four-day break from competition, the Storm have two games on the docket against the Chicago Sky (7-11) within a span of three days. These two teams last met on May 28th at Wintrust Arena in Chicago as Seattle pulling away, eventually winning 77-68. It was the fifth and seventh game for them, respectively. Since then, quite a few things have shifted on both sides.
The last time the Chicago Sky and our Seattle Storm met up, forward Victoria Vivians was starting for the Storm. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Lineup Alterations
In their last matchup, veteran forward Victoria Vivians started at the three for Seattle. After starting back-to-back second halves against the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces, second-year wing Jordan Horston was tapped as the full-time starter. Dedication to improving her craft and team — and three straight double-digit outings to top it off — gave Storm head coach Noelle Quinn every reason to move her. It’s important to note that Horston was coming off shoulder surgery in the offseason and dealt with an ankle injury to start the season.
Since her starting nod, Seattle is 4-0 with the fourth-best offensive rating (109.6), up nearly eight points. The Storm also boast the best defensive rating (88.5). It was at 93.8 beforehand. Horston is averaging 8.8 points on 43 percent shooting while collecting 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals.
For Chicago, No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso was out with a shoulder injury at the time of the first meeting between the two sides. Since her return, Cardoso is averaging 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds. She’s still finding her footing at the professional level but at 6-7, she’s an immediate mismatch. With time, she will be able to take advantage of it consistently.
The Sky underwent a change of station in the backcourt as guards Lindsay Allen and Chennedy Carter were promoted to the starting lineup. Lacking a sense of direction within their offense at the lead guard spot, Lindsay Allen has increased the team’s vitality in half-court sets. The ball sticks less and players are actively making themselves available, which has done wonders. Allen also packs a consistent offensive punch of her own, averaging seven points on a 60 percent effective field goal clip and 4.7 assists.
Carter was a leading candidate for Sixth Woman of the Year before becoming a starter, averaging 13 points in 19 minutes. In the last six games she’s started, the former No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 draft averages 20.2 points on 57 percent shooting while dishing 3.5 assists. Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon originally opposed the idea of starting Carter, stating several times how she’s comfortable in her role as a scoring threat off the bench. Still, the team started games with a lack of urgency. Since the switch in the Sky’s backcourt, they’re making the most of their opportunities, ranking third in pace (97.6) in their last six games.
As stated, the path these two groups are on is unlike the one in their first meeting. For that reason alone, this isn’t just another game on the schedule for Seattle. Chicago is a formidable opponent and must be treated as such, despite a 7-11 record.
Five Keys to a Storm Win
Defensive Boards - Seattle’s success in securing defensive rebounds is essential. Since the return of Cardoso, Chicago is second in the WNBA in offensive rebounding percentage (31.6). All-Star rookie Angel Reese has 11 consecutive double-doubles in that span, ranked second all-time behind future first-ballot Hall of Famer Candace Parker’s 12. Out of the 13.7 rebounds she’s corralling on her historic streak, five are off the offensive glass. The pairing of Cardoso and Reese has bolstered the Sky’s frontcourt, most notably in second-chance points, averaging 12 per game (2nd in WNBA) in their last dozen games.
Limiting Multiple Offensive Rebounds - Chicago has made it their business to pull down multiple offensive rebounds on singular possessions throughout the game. Seattle limiting these instances is crucial to a victory, and considering the strong numbers that the Storm have had throughout the course of the season on the boards and generally in the paint, crashing the boards has some heightened importance tonight.
Paint Points - There haven’t been two teams more reliant on their interior presence this season. Chicago leads the league in paint scoring (41.7) with Seattle a hair away at second (41.3). Despite shooting just under league average from deep in their last five games, the Storm is a team that has always thrived by getting it out of the mud and takes pride in doing so. Utilizing forwards Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike as hubs who share a similar passing prowess in the halfcourt, Seattle has several looks in their approach to get the shots they’ve built their bread and butter on this season. While they won’t shut the Sky down entirely in the paint due to their talent level, it’s pertinent that the Storm do the little things that have aided them in limiting its effectiveness: denying the ball to opposing posts and clogging the passing lanes near the top of the key with Magbegor and Ogwumile pressing, depending on what the situation dictates.
Starting Strong in the Post - Seattle is fourth in the WNBA in first-quarter scoring (21.4). Nearly half of those points come in the paint. Some players need to see their jumper fall to get going. That’s not the case for the Storm, necessarily. From Skylar Diggins-Smith at the one down to Magbegor at the center spot, all five Storm starters are more inclined to get to the rim to establish themselves. In the last few games, they’ve had issues with shots falling at the basket. The problem isn’t the quality of shots because they’re normally good looks, they just aren’t connecting. Whether it is process-driven or attempting to get going by not utilizing the shot clock, they have to convert on the bunnies.
Loyd doing Loyd Things - After scoring one point in an 11-point loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Loyd is averaging 26.5 points on a blistering 70.5 true shooting percentage to go along with 4.5 rebounds and nearly 4 assists. When asked about her performance as of late, Loyd gave credit to being home and walking her dogs more often while enjoying a WNBA-record nine-game homestand. She’s getting to her spots with relative ease compared to her start to the season and is making defenses think twice about leaving her open.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd’s big game against the Indiana Fever was the start of a string of strong performances during the current homestand. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
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