Game Preview: Seattle Storm Tied for Final Playoff Spot Heading into Atlanta Matchup

Sunday, September 4 – 3:00 p.m. PT
Philips Arena | Atlanta, GA
WNBA League Pass

Team Details

After Friday’s loss at Chicago and the Sun’s win over Phoenix, Seattle (11-17) is tied with Connecticut for the eighth and final playoff spot with six games remaining. The Storm is 2-2 since the Olympic break, while Atlanta is 1-1 and has had a full week off between games. The Dream (14-13) is tied with Chicago for fourth in the league standings.

Head-to-Head History

Seattle and Atlanta split their first two meetings of the season, with each team winning on its home court. On June 28 at KeyArena, the Storm came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat the Dream 84-81. On the road, however, Seattle has lost six consecutive games to Atlanta.

Notable Statistics

Jewell Loyd has been on an absolute tear since the Olympic break. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 20.6 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game since working on her game during the month-long break. Loyd had a career-high five steals last week, helping Seattle upset the league-leading Sparks. In her hometown of Chicago on Friday, she nearly recorded the eighth triple-double in league history, finishing with 23 points, eight assists and a career-high 10 rebounds. It was her third straight 20-point game.

Breanna Stewart scored 38 points, tied for the second most by a WNBA player this season, when the Storm defeated Atlanta on June 28. It was the first career 30-point game for Stewart, who went 12-of-16 from the field en route to the highest-scoring performance by a rookie in franchise history. She surpassed her college career high in points, as the most Stewart scored during her four years at UConn was 37. It ranks as the third-highest scoring output by a rookie in league history and the second-highest point total in franchise history.

Key Matchup

Fresh off winning the gold medal alongside Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry is averaging 18.4 points per game this year, fifth in the league. The two-time scoring champion will likely be matched up with fellow small forward Alysha Clark, and reserve Noelle Quinn has also spent time guarding McCoughtry this season.

Notes

  • Late in the first quarter on Friday against Chicago, Storm forward Crystal Langhorne suffered a lacerated right eye. She was on the bench for the rest of the game and is now listed as day-to-day. Langhorne has played all 34 games each of the last three seasons.
  • To make room for Krystal Thomas and Noelle Quinn, the Storm waived Markeisha Gatling on June 25. Picked up by Atlanta just days later, Gatling is now averaging three points in 10.3 minutes per game for the Dream.