Storm outscores Dream 21-7 in fourth quarter as Seattle improves to 4-2 in its last six games
SEATTLE – As the fourth quarter began, it looked like Atlanta held the fate of the game. Little did they know that Seattle had other plans in store.
The Storm completed yet another large comeback, rallying from a 16-point, third-quarter deficit to down the Dream 68-67 on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
Trailing by 16 late in the third quarter and still down 15 in the fourth quarter, Seattle’s offense found its rhythm, using a 16-0 run to take its first lead of the night with 2:19 to go. With 3:03 to play, Jewell Loyd hit a three-pointer and was fouled, converting the free throw to pull the Storm to within one. After another defensive stop, Ezi Magbegor put the Storm up 63-62 with a driving layup.
Atlanta snapped a seven-minute scoreless drought on its next possession as Allisha Gray hit a pull-up jumper at the 2:04 mark. Neither team found the bottom of the basket until Loyd converted an and-one with :13.8 seconds left to put Seattle up for good at 66-64.
The Dream would turn the ball over on its next possession and Sami Whitcomb hit a pair of free throws to make it a four-point game, significant because Rhyne Howard drained a late three with :01.5 to account for the final score.
Loyd sank a floating jump shot with 13 seconds remaining, putting the Storm back up. Loyd notched a free throw followed by two from Sami Whitcomb to seal the game for good.
In addition to outscoring the Dream 21-7 in the fourth, Seattle outrebounded the Dream 14-7 and held Atlanta to 3-of-17 shooting, scoreless for over a seven-minute period.
Magbegor recorded her eighth double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
Loyd had a team-high 19 total points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.
Whitcomb contributed across the board with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, a pair of steals, and a block. She also connected on a three-pointer to extend her streak of games with at least one made three to 20-straight, the fourth-longest active streak in the WNBA and the second-longest of her career.
Mercedes Russell came off the bench to score nine points, connecting on 4-of-8 from the field while adding five rebounds, a pair of assists and two steals.
Seattle welcomes the Phoenix Mercury for its annual rivalry night on Sunday at Climate Pledge Arena. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. and can be watched on Fox 13, NBA TV, and on Prime Video in Washington State.