Instant Takeaways: Storm Bounce Back, Outlast Wings on the Road
Following a disappointing season opener, the Seattle Storm got in the win column for the first time in 2025 with a 79-71 victory over No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.
Despite some offensive inconsistencies, it was a marked improvement from Saturday’s loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The concern, however, is the reliance head coach Noelle Quinn has on her veteran stars with Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Alysha Clark all playing at least 35 minutes.
Here’s what we learned from a bounce-back victory for Seattle in Dallas.
Fast start eases pressure
Seattle’s 56 first-half points were only three fewer than the entire game in their season opener on Saturday. They moved the ball well, showing much more cohesiveness than at any point against the Phoenix Mercury. The Storm made it clear they took the opening loss personally.
After cooling off and allowing the Wings to own a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Storm found a second-quarter groove. They converted six of their first 10 shots to begin the period, building up a 10-point advantage. Nine first-half 3-pointers aided a 15-point lead for Seattle at halftime, 56-41.
Diggins (16 points), Ogwumike (13) and Williams (13) all had double-digit points in the first half. Diggins and Ogwumike were the only two players in double figures in the season opener.
The offense slowed down at times in the second half, particularly early in the third quarter, when the Wings took away the 3-pointers. But Quinn made the necessary adjustments to hang on for the win.
3-point barrage, at least initially
It was too early to judge the Storm’s 3-point shooting ability after one game, and it’s still too early to tell how good it really will be.
Four players made at least one three in the first half, with Gabby Williams and Skylar Diggins knocking down three apiece. Williams was 3-for-3 from downtown in the first two quarters.
Seattle converted just 3-of-17 threes against Phoenix. They had nine made 3-pointers in the first half alone against the Wings on just 11 attempts. Most of those shots came because of improved ball movement and spacing, creating more open looks beyond the arc.
Then it came crashing back down in the second half, with Seattle missing all four of their attempts. Dallas adjusted, taking away the Storm’s long-range game like the Mercury. It made Seattle’s offense more one-dimensional, but Ogwumike’s excellence on the interior bailed them out.
Magbegor’s offensive absence
Through two games, Storm center Ezi Magbegor has just nine total points. She averaged nearly 12 points per game a season ago and is critical to Seattle’s interior offense. To this point, most of the Storm’s damage inside has been done by Diggins dishing to Ogwumike as she cuts to the basket.
With Magbegor not being a factor, No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga barely seeing the court and Li Yueru struggling to impact the game, the Storm’s offense is enduring hot-and-cold streaks. After shooting the ball well in the first half, the Wings adjusted and started forcing Seattle inside. Magbegor, who added eight rebounds, five assists one steal and one block, can’t just be a defensive anchor.
If Seattle is going to score consistently, it needs Magbegor to be a reliable post option moving forward. That, or Malonga needs to get a chance to shine.
Ogwumike’s all-around excellence
Ogwumike nearly had a double-double in the first half with 13 points and nine rebounds. The rebound total was a first-half career-high for the 14-year veteran. She quickly surpassed the double-digit mark early in the third quarter.
By the end of the game, Ogwumike had put together a masterpiece with 23 points (10 of 21 shooting), 18 rebounds, three assists and two steals. She surpassed 800 assists in her career in the win. To this point, Ogwumike and Diggins are fueling the Storm’s offense. That duo has combined for 77 of Seattle’s 138 total points.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 overall picks isn’t a competition, yet
Malonga hasn’t been a factor for the Storm. She has made an appearance in both games and has four points, but she was on the court for just one minute in the win over Dallas. She used that time well, converting her only shot attempt and pulling down a rebound.
On the opposite side, Paige Bueckers already looks like Dallas’ best player. Bueckers finished with a team-high 19 points (7 of 14 shooting), five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block. She fueled the Wings’ offense as Arike Ogunbowale struggled from the field.
Quinn often doesn’t rely on rookies, but the Storm relied on an eight-player rotation against Dallas. With Magbegor struggling offensively, find a way to get Malonga more involved.
Disappointing bench requires veteran reliance
Seattle got five points from its bench — an area of this roster that was supposed to be a strength. All of the Storm’s starters outside of Magbegor played over 35 minutes, with Williams playing all but one minute of the 40-minute contest.
Rostering just 10 healthy players is already dangerous, and the Storm rotated just eight against the Wings. Guards Lexie Brown and Zia Cooke didn’t play. It could be difficult for the starters to maintain their health if they have to regularly play 35 or more minutes per game.
The Storm parted ways with all three of their third-round picks — keeping just one rookie — so they could retain an experienced bench. That depth should be contributing far more than it currently is.
