WNBA: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm finest Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

The Seattle Storm (6-5) got their 2nd win over a group with a winning record Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena, beating the brand-new and enhanced Atlanta Dream 72-60 behind 26 points from Jewell Loyd and, lastly, a very first technical nasty from head coach Noelle Quinn.

The win was much-needed for a group that has actually been having a hard time to measure up to its high expectations — their 5-5 record being available in and the reality that their only previous win over a winning group was a 74-71 accomplishment over the Chicago Sky on May 18 exemplify those battles. However, Tuesday was simply their 2nd video game this season with a complete lineup.

Seattle led the majority of the method, however the Dream had 3 essential stretches where they fought back and made the Storm sweat. The last one was a 13-0 run that cut their deficit to 64-60 with 3:52 to go. But, as the last rating shows, Seattle would complete the contest on an 8-0 run. Breanna Stewart struck a 3 at 3:38 to offer the Storm some breathing space and a Gabby Williams layup and an Ezi Magbegor 3 after that sealed the offer. It was Magbegor’s 2nd trey of the video game, 3rd of the season and ninth of her profession, which undoubtedly isn’t a lot, however she’s made her last 3 in a row from beyond the arc.

Stewart ended up with 19 points and Magbegor (5 blocks) had 12, however the most significant brilliant area was obviously Loyd’s 26.

“I think I was getting good rhythm shots from my teammates getting me open and just taking what the defense gave me and just trying to make the game as simple as possible,” Loyd stated. “Defenses, we don’t really know what they’re gonna do and knowing that regardless if they double me, I can pass it to these guys (motions to Stewart and Magbegor) and we’re in good hands. I was just trying to … see what was open early. Just kind of got in a rhythm early and I guess it kept going.”

Loyd had a strong night from the field, going 8-of-17, and Magbegor was an incredibly effective 5-of-6. All of the Storm’s totally free tosses were tried by either Stewart (6-of-6) or Loyd (8-of-9).

The Storm’s general basket portion of 41 percent wasn’t fantastic, however what stuck out was the 2-of-19 effort from range that they held Atlanta to. The Dream’s star novice, No. 1 choice Rhyne Howard, was 0-of-6 from long variety and 5-of-17 from the field in general for 11 points, 4.8 less than her season average.

“Guarding a scorer is not just one person’s responsibility, it’s everyone,” Loyd stated. “And I believe Gabby (Williams) started entering her and simply sticking with her and making things a little hard for her. It was truthfully a synergy, whatever tonight, I suggest all the matches. We continuously were talking on the flare screens and safeguarded guards hard. Our strategy was respectable.

“I mean, (Rhyne’s) gonna be a great player. Obviously she’s done the work early and you’ve seen her talent. The league’s in good hands. I told her that tonight too. She’s gonna be amazing and she knows that. As long as she puts in the work and keeps going, she’s gonna be one of the greats for sure. But for right now, she’s learning.”

The Storm take a great deal of pride in their recently refurbished arena and in winning there. Three house losses throughout an eight-game house stand isn’t perfect, however a minimum of the stretch ended on a favorable note. Now, the Storm face five-straight video games on the roadway, consisting of 3 versus groups that beat them throughout the house stand (2 vs. the Dallas Wings and one vs. the Connecticut Sun).

“We knew after the loss to Dallas and then obviously after the loss to Connecticut that we were gonna see them again really soon,” Stewart stated. “We’re full of vets and I don’t think going on the road for five games really bothers us. I think that we really loved being home for eight games, but this is how the season goes. And we’re ready to go on the road and battle it out in other teams’ home arenas.”