Stunning Victory! Storm Upset Lynx 93-79

Seattle overcame a 21-point deficit to win by double digits.

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - This is why people love sports. Because the unpredictable can happen. Dick Fain joked on the broadcast that he felt like he was calling two separate games and hoped that people stuck around while Seattle trailed by 21 points. At one point in the 2nd quarter, the Lynx had a 98% chance of victory. Even midway through the third quarter, that was still above 90%, but the Storm used a 34-point third period to outscore the Lynx by 17 points. They carried that momentum into the final frame and outscored Minnesota by 10 more, totaling 27 points (60-33) in the 2nd half of the game. At the final buzzer, the Target Center audience was in disbelief as the Seattle Storm defeated the Minnesota Lynx 93-79.

Seattle had five players score in double figures and got contributions from everyone. Skylar Diggins led the way with 23 points, scoring 19 of those in the 2nd half. Gabby Williams added 16 points and shot 4-5 FG from beyond the arc. Dominique Malonga scored 13 points on 6-7 FG, pulled down seven rebounds, and had two blocks. Erica Wheeler added 13 points and 4-7 FG from the three-point range. Thanks to Wheeler and Malonga, Seattle’s bench outscored Minnesota’s reserves 26-12.

Despite a poor shooting night, Nneka Ogwumike still provided 12 points and nine rebounds. Brittney Sykes added eight points and five assists. She also did an excellent job getting to the free throw line several times. Ezi Magbegor contributed with eight points, seven rebounds, and five blocked shots. The defense that Magbegor and Malonga did against Minnesota was a huge reason why Seattle was able to turn the tide over the final 20 minutes.

The Storm and Minnesota both shot 44% from the floor, but it was Seattle that exploded from the three-point line. It was a tale of two halves in that regard. Minnesota hit 58% (7-12 FG) from beyond the arc in the first half, but finished 9-24 FG (38%). Meanwhile, Seattle hit 11-19 FG (58%) in the 2nd half and outshot the Lynx 49% (16-33 FG) to 38% for the game.

The road team forced the Lynx into 14 turnovers and outscored Minnesota 26-13 in points off turnovers. Despite losing the rebounding battle by a couple, the Storm had a 15-12 advantage in second-chance points. Both teams were even (30-30) with points in the paint.

Seattle’s defense was very notable and a huge key to the victory. They had a 10-5 advantage in steals and a 10-4 edge in blocked shots. Coach Quinn said they tracked at least 33 deflections, while Coach Cheryl Reeves said they had just 13.

With the win, the Storm improved to 21-19 on the season and went 4-1 on this recent five-game road trip. They also moved back ahead of the Golden State Valkyries in the standings, back up to 7th place. They are also four wins up on the LA Sparks (17-19) in the standings. Seattle has four games left to play, while Los Angeles still has eight.

Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota had three major players in this game. Kayla McBride scored 20 points on 7-13 FG, including 5-8 FG from beyond the arc. Courtney Williams had the game’s only double-double with 18 points (7-12 FG) and 10 assists. She also added five rebounds. Lastly, Napheesa Collier scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Courtney was held to just two points in the 2nd half, after scoring 16 in the first half.

The Lynx out-rebounded Seattle 37-35, but had fewer offensive rebounds. They did outscore Seattle 17-12 in fast break points.

With the loss, they fall to 30-8 on the season, but they still control their own destiny. They need just one more win to clinch the #1 seed and homecourt advantage throughout the 2025 WNBA playoffs.

Game Breakdown

Kayla McBride knocked down a three-pointer for the game’s first basket. Not long after, Gabby Williams evened things up with her triple. Seattle’s defense was sharp early, getting a block and a steal. Skylar Diggins was fouled and made one of two free throws. Courtney Williams hit back-to-back jumpers to give Minnesota an early 7-4 lead. The Lynx would continue to score, another basket from Williams, a free throw from Collier, and a three-pointer from Bridget Carleton. Seattle missed eight of their first nine shots and trailed by nine points early (13-4). Coach Quinn was forced to call an early timeout.

Out of the timeout, Gabby Williams threw the ball away, and Kayla McBride hit a three as the Lynx extended their run to 13-0. Collier was able to draw another foul to extend their lead to 21-6. Diggins hit a three-ball, but Natisha Hiedeman got straight to the rim. Then DiJonai Carrington stole a pass in the open court and raced down the lane for two. Erica Wheeler hit a three at the end of the first period. Minnesota led 25 to 12. Seattle shot 4-18 FG on their field goal attempts in the opening frame.

The Lynx opened up the second quarter on a 6-0 run, with easy baskets by Jessica Shepard and Courtney Williams. Quinn was forced to call another timeout with Seattle trailing 31-12. Nneka Ogwumike got to the free throw line a couple of times and made all four shots. Courtney Williams countered with a three-pointer. Dominique Malonga dribbled past Napheesa Collier for two. Collier got it back at the rim. Then Kayla McBride hit an open three in transition to extend Minnesota’s lead to 21 at 39-18.

Malonga and Sykes got to the rim for a couple of baskets. Dom scored again near the rim. Courtney Williams responded with Minnesota’s seventh three-pointer of the first half. Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike hit back-to-back triples. Gabby cut it to 10 with a steal. Minnesota led 46-33 at the midway point.

Alanna Smith buried a three to open up the second half. However, Diggins answered with back-to-back triples. Napheesa Collier hit a sideline jumper. Then she grabbed an offensive rebound, putback, and was fouled for the AND1. Ezi Magbegor matched that on the other end. Smith scored on a traditional three-point play as well.

Ezi gave the Storm some good production on both ends. She had a couple of big blocks against Collier and Courtney. Then she knocked down a three-pointer. Diggins got a steal near midcourt and raced down the other end uncontested to cut Minnesota’s lead down to nine at 59-50.

Out of the timeout, the Storm went on a 6-0 run to cut the Lynx’s lead down to two. Erica Wheeler tied the game with a three-pointer. Minnesota was completely rattled by the end of the third period. They were constantly complaining to the refs anytime something didn’t go exactly their way. Their frustration was evident. The Storm outscored the Lynx 34-17 in the third period, capped off by a Diggins’ three-pointer in Napheesa Collier’s face. Diggins then was yapping at anyone within earshot.

Ironically, the Minnesota Lynx were called for a Technical Foul for reacting to Diggins’ tirade. Erica Wheeler knocked down the technical free throw. Kayla McBride hit a three. Skylar got to the line for two. Hiedeman, Diggins, and Carrington each scored, and that kept Minnesota within two.

Dominique Malonga hit a three-pointer at the top of the arch. Seattle got a steal, and Diggins was able to score in the paint to give the Storm a seven-point lead. Carrington hit a turnaround jumper out of the timeout. Nneka knocked down a three. Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith got back-to-back uncontested layups at the rim, and Coach Quinn quickly called a timeout.

Out of the timeout, Sykes was fouled and split the two. Gabby Williams buried a triple. McBride missed one on the other end. Skylar found Ezi in the paint, and Magbegor scored through the defense to push Seattle’s lead to double-digits at 86-76. Nneka scored down low. After a McBride free throw, Gabby hit another three-pointer to extend Seattle’s lead to 14 with just one and a half minutes remaining in the game. Collier sank a jumper. Gabby got two more at the foul line to end the game.

The Storm completed the miraculous comeback to win 93-79.

Final Box Score

Up Next

The Seattle Storm (21-19) return home this Saturday, August 30th, to face the Chicago Sky (9-28) at 6:00 PM. Seattle has four games remaining on their schedule, and all four of them are at home. Seattle beat Chicago 95-57 in late July and 94-88 on August 19th.

Part 2

Part 2 will include additional thoughts and discussion from Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx. It’ll be sent exclusively to paid subscribers.

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