> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Instant Takeaways: Self-Inflicted Wounds Doom Storm vs. Mystics - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/self-inflicted-wounds-doom-storm-vs-mystics/ - Published: 2026-07-12T22:36:59.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:14:11.000Z - Author: Connor Benintendi - Tags: Game Day, Analysis, Storm, Natisha Hiedeman, Dominique Malonga, Sonia Raman, Jade Melbourne \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2499"\] ![ Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman reacts after scoring in the team’s 84-79 loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, July 12, at CareFirst Arena. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Storm ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/260712_at-2bwas_naegele-20-format-original.jpg) Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman reacts after scoring in the team’s 84-79 loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, July 12, at CareFirst Arena. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Storm \[/caption\] Natisha Hiedeman’s career-high 31 points weren’t enough for the Seattle Storm in another turnover-plagued 84-79 loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, July 12, at CareFirst Arena. Hiedeman was as good as she’s ever been, but the Storm didn’t get consistent offense across the board. Dominique Malonga (10 points) was the only other player to score in double figures for Seattle (6-19), which dropped to 2-11 on the road this season. Washington (11-10) got 27 points from Shakira Austin, 19 from Sonia Citron and 12 from Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics have been used to winning close games, and they showed how battle-tested they are against the Storm. However, in the end, it was the Storm’s turnovers and missed opportunities that doomed them in this game. Here’s what we learned from Seattle’s fourth loss in its last five games. ### **Hiedeman leads early charge** The first quarter was all Hiedeman for the Storm. She turned in her best opening period of the season, totaling 11 points on 5 of 8 shooting. That helped spur a strong start for the Storm on both ends of the court — Hiedeman also had 2 first-quarter steals — and they took a six-point lead after 10 minutes. Washington entered the game leading the WNBA in fouls drawn and free-throw attempts per game. That’s a challenge for the Storm, who allow the sixth-most attempts from the stripe, and it’s what kept the Mystics in the game in the first half. The Mystics had 18 free-throw attempts in the first two quarters, and they made 13 of them. That’s five more than the Storm made in that same span. Malonga picked up three quick personal fouls for the Storm and played a short first half. Seattle made up for that by being much more efficient from the field. The Storm shot 13% higher from the floor, particularly because of Hiedeman’s strong start. After trailing for almost the entire game, Cassandre Prosper drilled a three to put the Mystics up 36-33 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. Austin went to work in the second quarter, and she had 12 points when Washington went to the locker room. But Hiedeman kept leading the charge. She had 18 first-half points in the Storm’s May 24 win over the Mystics, and she had the same amount in this game. Hiedeman’s quickness matches up well with Washington’s backcourt, and that allows her to get in the lane and slash to the rim. The Storm re-took the lead late in the second quarter and held a slim five-point advantage at the break. ### **Late mistakes surrender promising lead** Seattle benefited greatly from having Malonga back on the floor in the third quarter. Even though she still wasn’t leading the way offensively, her 15 total rebounds kept the Mystics at bay on the glass. Hiedeman continued her career day offensively to fuel the Storm, but Washington traded blows with Seattle into the fourth quarter. The Mystics used an 11-2 run to grab a six-point lead — their biggest of the game to that point — with just four minutes remaining in the game. As good as Hiedeman was, she was the only reliable scoring coming for the Storm, and Washington’s more balanced attack began to take over. Turnovers also didn’t help. The Storm got careless with some late passes and provided the Mystics with free opportunities at the rim. Seattle committed five turnovers in just four minutes of the fourth quarter, and had eight of their 20 total giveaways in the final period. Austin had 10 fourth-quarter points after being quiet in the third, and that sparked Washington’s long run. Malonga couldn’t get anything going inside against the Mystics’ interior defense. A late sequence perfectly summarized the late performance for the Storm. Seattle got a rebound, trailing by three, with just under 40 seconds remaining. They had plenty of time to run their offense and potentially tie the game. Instead, Jade Melbourne attempted a cross-court pass that was intercepted by Citron. The Mystics pushed it to a two-possession game, and there wasn’t enough time for Seattle to make up the difference. ### **Storm lack the “It” factor in close games** Washington is 8-4 in games this season — including this one — that were decided by five or fewer points. Seattle is 0-7 in games of that variety. That’s been one of their major downfalls this season. It’s mostly a product of offensive inconsistencies and a lack of overall WNBA experience. This is a young Storm team that has to learn how to navigate tough late-game situations. The unfortunate side of it is that they don’t seem to be getting better in that area, and you’d like to see some growth as the season progresses. They try to force the issue instead of trusting each possession, and that’s how the turnovers pile up late in the game. Washington, by contrast, took advantage of those deficiencies and forced Seattle into mistakes. Regardless, these are learning experiences for the young Storm roster, and are coaching points that head coach Sonia Raman will have to emphasize if she wants to see the trend reverse. ### **Ezi Magbegor sidelined again** Raman announced in her pre-game press conference that Magbegor suffered a facial fracture and that she will be re-evaluated “in the next couple weeks.” Magbegor didn’t play in the second half of the Storm’s 89-78 loss to the Atlanta Dream on July 9 after suffering the injury in the first half. She has appeared in just four games this season after signing a new three-year, $3.75 million max contract this offseason and has averaged 3.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks per game in limited time. She previously missed the first 20 games of the season with a foot injury that she sustained while playing for Australia in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. It’s now looking like Magbegor could be on a path to playing 10 or fewer games this season, depending on how long the facial fracture keeps her on the sideline. ### **Up next** The Storm enter the fourth game of a five-game road trip when they visit the Chicago Sky (7-15) at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15\. Seattle is yet to face Chicago so far this season.