By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

News Junction

Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    ‘Napalm Girl’ was in the Vietnam War photo. But who was behind the camera?; documentary The Stringer
    ‘Napalm Girl’ was in the Vietnam War photo. But who was behind the camera?; documentary The Stringer
    May 19, 2025
    Trump to speak with Putin today on ending Ukraine ‘bloodbath’ – after Russia carries out largest drone attack since start of war | World News
    Trump to speak with Putin today on ending Ukraine ‘bloodbath’ – after Russia carries out largest drone attack since start of war | World News
    May 19, 2025
    Portuguese PM’s party set to win general election, fall short of majority | Elections News
    Portuguese PM’s party set to win general election, fall short of majority | Elections News
    May 19, 2025
    Pro-EU candidate wins Romanian presidential election rerun — RT World News
    Pro-EU candidate wins Romanian presidential election rerun — RT World News
    May 19, 2025
    Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer
    Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer
    May 19, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    August 18, 2024
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    August 18, 2024
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    August 18, 2024
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    August 18, 2024
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    August 18, 2024
  • Cryptocurrency
    CryptocurrencyShow More
    Bitcoin blasts past 6K: is Trump’s remittance tax bill crypto’s new rocket fuel?
    Bitcoin blasts past $106K: is Trump’s remittance tax bill crypto’s new rocket fuel?
    May 19, 2025
    Coinbase faces SEC probe over historical user metrics: report
    Coinbase faces SEC probe over historical user metrics: report
    May 19, 2025
    Dogecoin Price Prediction: How an 11-Year Solar Cycle May Be Driving the Charts
    Dogecoin Price Prediction: How an 11-Year Solar Cycle May Be Driving the Charts
    May 19, 2025
    New Zealand Man Arrested In 5 Million Crypto Scam Probe
    New Zealand Man Arrested In $265 Million Crypto Scam Probe
    May 19, 2025
    BTC Nears Bullish Golden Cross as Moody’s Downgrades U.S., Citing Debt Concerns
    BTC Nears Bullish Golden Cross as Moody’s Downgrades U.S., Citing Debt Concerns
    May 19, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    August 18, 2024
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    August 18, 2024
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    August 18, 2024
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    August 18, 2024
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    August 18, 2024
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Reading: Analysis: The Storm are suddenly surging. Does Seattle still have a shot at WNBA playoffs?
Share
Font ResizerAa

News Junction

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Trend
  • Entertainment
Search
  • Recent Headlines in Entertainment, World News, and Cryptocurrency – NewsJunction
  • World News
  • Business
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
News Junction > Blog > World News > Analysis: The Storm are suddenly surging. Does Seattle still have a shot at WNBA playoffs?
Analysis: The Storm are suddenly surging. Does Seattle still have a shot at WNBA playoffs?
World News

Analysis: The Storm are suddenly surging. Does Seattle still have a shot at WNBA playoffs?

Published August 18, 2023
Share
7 Min Read
SHARE

Contents
Finally, the defense has gotten betterSami and Cedes may have saved the seasonPlayoffs or bust?

When we previously reviewed the Storm on July 19 during a midseason analysis, they were last in the league standings at 4-16 and had lost seven straight games while stumbling toward one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

Ten games later, Seattle is 9-21 and its prospects are much than they were a month ago.

Following three straight losses after the WNBA All-Star break that ran their losing streak to an all-time franchise worst 10 in a row, the Storm are 5-2 in the past seven games and one of the hottest teams in the league.

Here are three take-aways on Seattle heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup against the Minnesota Lynx (14-16) at Climate Pledge Arena.

Finally, the defense has gotten better

In the first 20 games, the Storm ranked last in the WNBA in opponents’ field goal percentage (47.1%) and opponents’ three-point percentage (38.1%) and 11th in points allowed (86.4).

In the past 10 games, Seattle ranks first in opponents’ field goal percentage (41%) and second in opponents’ three-point percentage (31.8%) and points allowed (77.7).

That’s a dramatic reversal.

So, what happened?

Succinctly, coach Noelle Quinn simplified the Storm’s defensive plans while tailoring schemes to better fit their personnel.

“You have a vision of what you can do, then you get on the court and you have to go with what they are capable of executing,” she said. “With this team it was finding coverages that we can effectively execute for 40 minutes without confusion and with as much confidence and urgency as possible.”

Quinn also noted with a smile: “We had four rookies on our team. We have so many new players. We needed time.”

The Storm were routinely giving up 100-plus points early in the season, including 105 in the season opener, which was a losing formula.

Seattle’s turnabout coincides with Gabby Williams’ midseason arrival and it will be interesting to see how the team fares without the defensive stalwart who is likely out for the season due to a left foot injury.

Sami and Cedes may have saved the season

Similarly, a case could be made for Sami Whitcomb and Mercedes Russell being the catalysts to the Storm’s midseason resurgence.

The 35-year-old Whitcomb replaced rookie point guard Ivana Dojkic and has started the past eight games, which has helped Seattle solve its pesky first-quarter woes in the first half of the season.

Meanwhile, sixth-year veteran center Mercedes Russell started 11 of the first 14 games before losing her job and finishing the first half of the season with a six-game stretch that included three DNP (did not play)-coach’s decisions and three short outings in which she tallied two points and six rebounds.

In the past 10 games, Russell is averaging 5.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 19.5 minutes as a reserve, while providing support for Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, who seemingly hit the proverbial “rookie wall” weeks ago and has been slumping.

“The break helped,” Quinn said when asked about Russell. “Just gave her time to recharge and renew her mind. We had conversations before the break about what my expectations were and I think she’s done a very good job of that.”

Playoffs or bust?

With 10 games remaining, Seattle is three games behind the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks who are tied at 12-18 and reside in the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Storm have split the season series against both teams and have two games remaining versus both squads, which provides a viable path to the postseason that few would have predicted last month when they were 4-19.

A 7-3 finish or better with wins against Chicago and LA would seemingly be enough to preserve the Storm’s seven-year postseason streak that began in 2016.

Still, it’s an intriguing debate whether or not Seattle should aggressively pursue a playoff spot, which would likely pit them against league heavyweights Las Vegas or New York in a best-of-three first-round matchup, or remain on course toward the 2024 WNBA draft lottery with a chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick and select Iowa star Caitlin Clark, the presumptive top prospect.

It should be noted that barring a miraculous run to the playoffs, the last-place Fever have locked up the best odds of landing the top pick, which is determined by combined records of the past two seasons. If the season were to end today, Indiana would have a 44.2% chance at the top pick and Seattle would have the worst chance at 10.4%.

And there’s no guarantee top prospects Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers, LSU’s Angel Reese, Stanford’s Cameron Brink and Clark will be available considering they have the option to return to college for the 2024-25 season because the NCAA gave all 2020-21 student-athletes an extra season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If getting better means that we’re moving up, then of course that’s what I want because that’s the competitor in me,” said Quinn who has steadfastly prioritized incremental improvements over the team’s record. “But from a basketball standpoint, I want to see our turnovers decrease. … I want to maintain (the defense). Offensively, I want to get back to our fastbreak points being efficient.

“We look at our seasons in quarters and our third quarter was very good. But how do we carry it over into the fourth quarter? Those are the tangible things I think we can continue to improve on in order for us to progress. If those improvements net wins and anything else that comes with that, then we’ll take those obviously. But we can’t backtrack. This team has grown up a lot.”

#Analysis #Storm #suddenly #surging #Seattle #shot #WNBA #playoffs

TAGGED:AnalysisplayoffsSeattleshotStormsuddenlysurgingWNBA
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article Chris Sale can’t get through the 5th inning as Nationals ding playoff hopes of Red Sox, 10-7 Chris Sale can’t get through the 5th inning as Nationals ding playoff hopes of Red Sox, 10-7
Next Article Spiritual Card Decks : bat for lashes Spiritual Card Decks : bat for lashes
- Advertisement -

Latest Post

‘Napalm Girl’ was in the Vietnam War photo. But who was behind the camera?; documentary The Stringer
‘Napalm Girl’ was in the Vietnam War photo. But who was behind the camera?; documentary The Stringer
World News
Bitcoin blasts past 6K: is Trump’s remittance tax bill crypto’s new rocket fuel?
Bitcoin blasts past $106K: is Trump’s remittance tax bill crypto’s new rocket fuel?
Cryptocurrency
Trump to speak with Putin today on ending Ukraine ‘bloodbath’ – after Russia carries out largest drone attack since start of war | World News
Trump to speak with Putin today on ending Ukraine ‘bloodbath’ – after Russia carries out largest drone attack since start of war | World News
World News
Coinbase faces SEC probe over historical user metrics: report
Coinbase faces SEC probe over historical user metrics: report
Cryptocurrency
Portuguese PM’s party set to win general election, fall short of majority | Elections News
Portuguese PM’s party set to win general election, fall short of majority | Elections News
World News
Dogecoin Price Prediction: How an 11-Year Solar Cycle May Be Driving the Charts
Dogecoin Price Prediction: How an 11-Year Solar Cycle May Be Driving the Charts
Cryptocurrency
- Advertisement -

You Might Also Like

Kevin Durant scores 33 points in Brooklyn return, leads Suns to 136-120 victory over the Nets
World News

Kevin Durant scores 33 points in Brooklyn return, leads Suns to 136-120 victory over the Nets

February 1, 2024
Olympic javelin men’s final scripts story of friendship between rivals – National
World News

Olympic javelin men’s final scripts story of friendship between rivals – National

August 10, 2024
US and Russia discuss restarting gas flows to EU – Reuters — RT World News
World News

US and Russia discuss restarting gas flows to EU – Reuters — RT World News

May 9, 2025
UN calls for resumed funding of Gaza aid agency amid military tie allegations – National
World News

UN calls for resumed funding of Gaza aid agency amid military tie allegations – National

January 28, 2024

About Us

NEWS JUNCTION (NewsJunction.xyz) Your trusted destination for global news. Stay informed with our timely and accurate reporting on diverse topics, including politics, technology, science, entertainment, sports, and more. Count on us for unbiased and reliable updates at your fingertips.

Quick Link

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact

Top Categories

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Sports News
  • Trend
  • People

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    © 2023 News Junction.
    • Blog
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?