A game against the New York Liberty might be just what Seattle needs.
The Storm lost a franchise-record 11 consecutive games earlier this season, a skid that was snapped with an 11-point win over the visiting Liberty on June 25.
On Monday night, Seattle — currently riding an eight-game losing streak — will visit New York.
Will the Liberty serve to end the slump once again?
Anything’s possible, of course, but the Storm (6-25) have the worst record in the WNBA. They also have the league’s worst road record at 2-14.
Meanwhile, the Liberty (17-13) have won four of their past five games. Even so, New York — a team loaded with stars — has seemingly underperformed this season. The 2024 league champions are holding onto the eighth and final playoff position. The Liberty have also lost five games against teams currently below them in the standings.
All-Star forward Breanna Stewart leads New York in scoring (21.3 points per game), blocks (1.5 per game) and steals (1.3 per game). She did not play in the aforementioned loss to Seattle due to a scheduled rest day.
New York’s other All-Star this year, Jonquel Jones, is averaging 14.4 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds.
Sabrina Ionescu is New York’s top perimeter shooter, and she’s coming off a 27-point, 10-assist game on Saturday during a 94-92 win at Phoenix.
The Liberty are still without Leonie Fiebich (left foot injury) and Satou Sabally (concussion protocol).
Despite that, Stewart remains optimistic.
“I feel like we have what we need to get it done,” Stewart told The New York Post regarding New York’s championship ambitions.
The Storm, who have been off since a 98-89 loss at Atlanta on Friday, are led in scoring by veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman (16.4 points per game) and 6-6 center Dominique Malonga (16.3).
Malonga, the second overall pick in last year’s draft, is also averaging 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
Flau’jae Johnson, who is averaging 13.6 points, is another Storm player to watch. Johnson, the eighth pick in this year’s draft, scored a team-high 28 points in Seattle’s 99-88 victory over New York in June.
Perhaps Johnson, who totaled her season-best scoring output in that game, could lead Seattle to another improbable win.
“I think transition should be our focal point,” Johnson said earlier this week. “That’s how I like to play. I like to play fast.”
–Field Level Media
