Instant Takeaways: Storm Comeback Falls Short Late Against Undefeated Lynx
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The Seattle Storm started slow but finished hot in a narrow 82-77 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, May 27. Credit: John Mac [/caption]
Even after a strong second and third-quarter comeback, the Seattle Storm couldn’t fully erase a 15-point opening period deficit in an 82-77 loss to the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx on the road on Tuesday.
The defeat snapped Seattle’s three-game win streak, dropping the Storm to 3-2 this season. Minnesota jumped out to a 5-0 start with their victory.
Seattle stumbled out of the gates, emulating their season-opening offense while allowing the Lynx to get out in transition early and often. That early lead, which was 26-11 after one quarter, was insurmountable despite the Storm’s in-game adjustments.
Here’s what we learned from a close road loss against the league’s top team.
Sloppy first-half offense
The Storm had one fast break point to the Lynx’s 21 in the first half — a complete reversal from Seattle’s win over Las Vegas on Sunday. Those conceded points largely came from their 10 first-half turnovers, with the offense looking eerily similar to the season-opening disaster against the Phoenix Mercury. Nothing was coming in rhythm for Seattle, instead forcing their stars to play hero ball on almost every possession. The only one doing that successfully was wing Gabby Williams, who finished the first two quarters with a team-high 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers.
Seattle scored fewer points (29) in the first half against Minnesota than it did in just the first quarter against Las Vegas (34). Forward Nneka Ogwumike and guard Skylar Diggins, the team’s top two scorers so far this season, combined for 3-of-13 shooting (8 points) in the first half.
Despite trailing by as much as 15, the Storm managed to cut their deficit to 10 by halftime. That was due to a more energetic, up-tempo version of their offense emerging late in the second period.
Defense, Williams keep Storm around
After allowing 26 first-quarter points, the Storm limited the Lynx to just 28 points over the following two quarters. Seattle limited its turnovers after the opening period, slowing down Minnesota’s offense and forcing them to try and win in the halfcourt. The Storm defended that dimension of the Lynx’s defense far more effectively
Minnesota continued hitting the timely buckets, keeping Seattle at arm’s length, but it also allowed the Storm to slowly chip away at the Lynx’s advantage.
Williams and tight defense were the only reasons Seattle hung around until the fourth quarter in the first place. Even though it wasn’t enough in the end, Williams finished with a season-high 20 points (8 for 15 shooting), four rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks. Williams has been good offensively so far this season, but this was the first contest where she was keeping the Storm above water.
Ogwumike cools off
Over Seattle’s previous three games, Ogwumike was averaging 23.3 points per game on nearly 61 percent shooting. It was a heater that was fueling the Storm, especially with quality games from Diggins and Wheeler to supplement her scoring. Against Minnesota, however, early MVP candidate Napheesa Collier made it tough for Ogwumike to find her shot.
Ogwumike finished 11 points (5 for 14 shooting), eight rebounds and two steals. She began the game 1 for 7 from the field, aiding the Lynx’s early first-quarter push. Diggins and Ogwumike have been Seattle’s main offensive contributors through the first four games. They’ve struggled to produce consistently when one or both have an off night.
Collier locked down, Courtney Williams can’t be contained
Ogwumike locked down Collier, the league’s leading scorer so far this season, for most of the game. But Williams, Minnesota’s point guard, was locked in from mid-range all night.
Williams hit the timely buckets for Minnesota all night, responding for the Lynx almost every time the Storm pulled within three points. She totaled 23 points (10 for 18 shooting), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 33 minutes.
Collier was limited offensively, converting less than 40 percent of her shots but still managing to score 16. She remained one of Minnesota’s best players defensively, adding 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks. The Lynx had four players score 15 or more points.
