Seattle Storm On SI

Storm Show Their Fight Despite Falling to League-Leading Lynx

The Seattle Storm didn’t walk off the court with a win Tuesday night, but they walked off having earned something just as valuable respect.

Jacobo Garrido

Aug 5, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) prepares for the start of play during the second half against the Minnesota Lynx at Climate Pledge Arena.
Aug 5, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) prepares for the start of play during the second half against the Minnesota Lynx at Climate Pledge Arena. / Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

SEATTLE — In a gritty 91-87 loss to the WNBA’s top team, the Minnesota Lynx, the Storm pushed the league’s best to the brink, showing flashes of the relentless energy and defensive pressure that have kept them in the playoff conversation all summer long.

Led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 23-point performance, her 140th career 20-point game, moving her up to seventh all-time the Storm refused to back down. Erica Wheeler chipped in 19 points and kept the offense flowing, while Dominique Malonga added 12 off the bench, injecting life into the second unit when it mattered most.

The loss drops Seattle to 16-14 on the season, their third straight defeat and fourth in five games. But context matters and this one didn’t feel like a setback.

“We continue to put ourselves in position where we can win those games,” Head Coach Noelle Quinn said. “It’s about having another gear or something, whether it’s energy or execution. I continue to applaud the group for their resilience in putting us in position to be in a one-possession game at the end.”

The Storm were within one possession for most of the second half, matching Minnesota shot-for-shot until the final 30 seconds. Kayla McBride’s perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final moments sealed the game for the Lynx (25-5), who have now won seven of their last eight.

But this game wasn’t about Minnesota's dominance, it was about Seattle’s resilience.

Gabby Williams broke the Storm’s single-season steals record with her 77th of the year, a testament to the team’s tenacity on defense. Skylar Diggins added 11 points, and while her stat line didn’t jump off the page, her leadership on the floor helped Seattle keep its composure in crunch time.

The Storm also introduced a new weapon in All-Star Brittney Sykes, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Washington earlier in the day. Though she didn’t suit up Tuesday, her defensive pedigree and scoring ability (15.4 ppg) will give Seattle another edge as they continue their playoff push.

Despite the loss, the message was clear: underestimate Seattle at your own risk.

This team has taken hits, injuries, trades, and now a tough stretch of losses but they haven’t lost their identity. With veterans like Ogwumike and rising contributors like Malonga and Williams, the Storm are still very much in the fight.

They’ll have a chance to prove it Friday when they travel to face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in what could be a playoff preview.

Don’t count them out. The Storm aren’t done yet.

More Seattle Storm News

feed

Published |Modified
Jacobo Garrido
JACOBO GARRIDO

Jacobo Garrido is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a focus on multimedia and broadcast reporting. During his time at CSULB, he worked as a field reporter for Dig en Español magazine, covering topics impacting the Latino community in Long Beach and surrounding areas. He also reported and produced campus news content, gaining hands-on experience in writing, editing, and on-camera storytelling. After graduating, Jacobo served as the national news correspondent for L28 News for over three years, where he wrote, shot, and edited weekly news segments covering major stories across the country. His experience spans live sports coverage, community profiles, and digital-first storytelling, with a passion for sharing stories that reflect and connect with diverse audiences.

Home/Analysis