Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike Adding to Her Defensive Legacy

In a blowout win over Dallas, the Storm forward joined rare company — but her impact continues to be felt far beyond the box score.

Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) looks to pass as Dallas Wings guard Haley Jones (30) defends during the first half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images / Chris Jones-Imagn Images

A Routine Play With Historic Weight

The play didn’t make the highlight reel. Dallas was trying to swing the ball along the wing, and Nneka Ogwumike was simply in the right place at the right time. A jab step, a quick reach, and suddenly the Storm were sprinting the other way.

It was her second steal of the half — and the one that mattered most to history. With that swipe, Ogwumike recorded her 200th career game with multiple steals, a number only three other players in league history have reached: Tamika Catchings, Ticha Penicheiro, and Sue Bird.

Nneka Ogwumike picked up 2 steals in the first half at Dallas for her 200th career multi-steal game, the fourth-most in WNBA history behind Tamika Catchings, Ticha Penicheiro and Sue Bird.

— Seattle Storm PR (@SeattleStormPR) August 23, 2025

Elite Company, Same Old Consistency

Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn has often pointed to Ogwumike’s leadership, anticipation, and defensive instincts as the kind of traits that set the tone for the team. Nights like this show exactly what she means — Ogwumike makes defensive plays that look routine but quietly tilt the momentum of a game.

The Storm have leaned heavily on her this year, especially with Jewell Loyd now in Las Vegas and Skylar Diggins running the backcourt under her shortened name. Around them, Lexie Brown and Erica Wheeler are finding their footing, but Ogwumike remains the heartbeat of the defense.

Aug 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Sevgi Uzun (0) tries to defend against Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Numbers That Tell the Story

Her numbers back it up. She’s now fifth all-time in career steals with 658, and she remains one of just four players in league history to post at least 600 steals and 250 blocks. That balance between perimeter disruption and interior toughness has carried her through 14 seasons without much drop-off. Although she is now 35 years old, the veteran shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and her energy has been nothing short of amazing both on and off the basketball court.

Nneka with the feed, Dom with the finish 💥 pic.twitter.com/pbvoy67Ydy

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 23, 2025

Greatness Built on Habits

Friday’s milestone didn’t stop the game or spark a long ovation. It came and went like any other sequence. And maybe that’s the point — Ogwumike’s greatness isn’t tied to one night, but to the way she’s turned moments like this into habits over the course of her career.

She has a blue-collar worker mentality, and she just shows up and does her job and more, and then goes about her business. The team and the fans are very pleased with her work ethic on the floor, and this was a true testament to that with the recent milestone that she achieved on Friday night.

Aug 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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