Third Storm athlete suffers torn ACL ahead of 2025 season, following others in the team.
The 2025 Seattle Storm season is just around the corner, but injuries are causing a headache for the team. Key players are set to miss out on the action, with one more addition to the ever-growing injury report.
In a cruel twist of fate, Katie Lou Samuelson picked up a torn ACL in her right knee during practice last Thursday. According to espnW, she'll be joining teammates Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl on the sidelines for the entire season, having suffered identical injuries.
Samuelson joined the Storm back in February and previously donned the team's jersey in 2019. Her WNBA career started with the Chicago Sky, who selected her with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft. She's also played for the Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, and, in 2023, spent her maternity leave away from the competitive court. Subsequently, she returned to action for the Fever, where she averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
In 2016, she was part of UConn's Championship-winning team and, in 2021, was selected for the 3x3 team representing the USA in the Tokyo Olympics, but COVID-19 prevented her from competing.
Storm's injury woes pile up
Besides Samuelson, Muhl and Horston both sustained ACL injuries before the season even started, playing in other leagues. Muhl's injury occurred in October while competing in Turkey, while Horston was playing for Athletes Unlimited in February.
Despite these setbacks, the team remains optimistic, with star player Skylar Diggins proclaiming this roster to be the most talented of her 13-year career. However, with three key players out for the entire season, the Storm will be looking to bolster their roster with another proven scorer following the offseason loss of Jewell Loyd in a trade with the Las Vegas Aces.
Alysha Clark, a veteran player who's tasted victory with the Aces in 2023 and during her first stint with the Storm in 2018 and 2020, is set to bolster the team's ranks. Nneka Ogwumike remains a critical player for the Storm, and with Diggins leading from the front, they'll be hoping to overcome their injury challenges and challenge for league supremacy.
It remains to be seen if the Storm can rally around their key players and triumph over the obstacles facing them. With Diggins and Ogwumike at the helm, there's certainly reason for hope. The stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable 2025 WNBA season.
Enrichment Data:
- Horston and Muhl are also out for the 2025 season due to ACL injuries sustained before the season began.
- Samuelson has previously played for various WNBA teams, including the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, and Indiana Fever.
- Samuelson missed the entire 2023 season while on maternity leave.
- Samuelson was part of the 3x3 team representing the USA in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but was unable to compete due to COVID-19.
- In 2023, Muhl sustained her ACL injury while playing for Turkish club Besiktas.
- Horston sustained her injury while playing in the Athletes Unlimited league in February.
The Seattle Storm's injury problems persist, as Katie Lou Samuelson, Jordan Horston, and Nika Muhl have all been ruled out for the entire 2025 WNBA season due to ACL injuries. Samuelson, who was acquired by the Storm in February, previously played for the Chicago Sky and has a rich history in basketball, including being part of UConn's championship-winning team in 2016. In search of a proven scorer to fill the void left by Jewell Loid's offseason trade to the Las Vegas Aces, the Storm are expected to welcome veteran player Alysha Clark, who has tasted victory with the Storm and the Aces. Despite these setbacks, the team has reason for optimism with star player Skylar Diggins and critical player Nneka Ogwumike leading the charge. The 2025 WNBA season promises to be exciting and unpredictable as the Storm aim to overcome their injury challenges and challenge for league supremacy.
