Home team suffers 6th consecutive defeat; Brittney Sykes falters in first game at home stadium
Seattle Storm Suffer Sixth Straight Defeat, Slip Further in WNBA Playoff Race
The Seattle Storm, currently holding the eighth seed in the WNBA standings with an 18-18 record, suffered a sixth consecutive loss on Wednesday night, falling to the Atlanta Dream 85-75. The defeat brings the Storm's record below .500 and raises concerns about their playoff prospects.
The Dream, who entered the game with a 20-11 record and a five-game winning streak, showcased their defensive prowess in the third quarter. Rhyne Howard sank a three-pointer and stole the ball back in the final seconds, significantly increasing Atlanta's lead. The Storm did not mount a significant rally after this point, extending their losing skid.
Nneka Ogwumike led the Storm in the first half with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists. However, the team struggled offensively outside of Ogwumike, Williams, and Ezi Magbegor, who made a three-pointer to get the Storm started in the second half.
Coach Noelle Quinn expressed her concerns about the team's performance, stating, "We need to find our rhythm and consistency. We can't afford to have these lapses in focus."
Brittney Sykes, recently acquired by the Storm, scored seven points and had five rebounds in her home debut, but the team's cohesion remains a challenge. Ogwumike emphasized the importance of remaining consistent in their approach and mindset, quoting Sykes, "We need to have pride in the small moments. Every play, every possession matters."
The Storm will face the Dream again on Friday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. The postseason is rapidly approaching, and the Storm's playoff fate hangs in the balance. With stiff competition from teams like the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics, the Storm must stabilize their offense and secure key wins to secure their spot in the postseason.
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