Postgame Notes & Quotes: Three From Storm Lead Seattle Past Phoenix, 91-87

Three Storm players scored 20+ points, Breanna Stewart (28), Jewell Loyd (23), and Natasha Howard (20). Seattle’s starters score 87 of the team’s 91 points.
The Storm won its first postseason game since Sept. 30, 2012, when the team defeated Minnesota, 86-79, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

KEY STAT OF THE GAME

After leading by just four (54-50) at halftime, Seattle opened the third quarter with a 16-4 run to stretch the lead to 16 (70-54) after a three-pointer by Breanna Stewart, who scored seven of the 16 points during the run.

WNBA MVP BREANNA STEWART

WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart scored a playoff career-high 28 points (previous high 23 at PHO, 9/6/17) to go along with seven rebounds.
Breanna Stewart nailed nine field goals and drilled six three-pointers, both of which were playoff career-highs for the 6-4 forward.
Breanna Stewart’s six three-pointers ties a franchise record for the most by player in the postseason (Lauren Jackson, six vs. SAC, 10/5/04).
Breanna Stewart’s 28 points were the second highest by a Storm player in a playoff game (31, Lauren Jackson, at SAC (OT), 10/1/2004).

WNBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER NATASHA HOWARD

Natasha Howard, who entered the game leading the WNBA in career field goal percentage in postseason play (60.3 percent), went 7-for-13 en route to posting a playoff career-high 20 points (previous high 17 at PHO, 10/2/16).
The 2018 Most Improved Player, Natasha Howard went 1-for-3 from deep, marking her first three-pointer for her career in postseason play.

WNBA KIM PERROT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNER SUE BIRD

Sue Bird notched 10 points and 10 assists, marking her third-career double-double in postseason play.
With her second assist of the game with 5:04 left to go in the first quarter, Sue Bird moved to No. 5 all-time in postseason history for assists, moving past Ticha Penicheiro (204). Bird finished the night with 10 assists and now has 213 for her career in the postseason.
Today marked Sue Bird’s fifth double-digit assist playoff game (fourth-highest in franchise history).

JEWELL LOYD

Jewell Loyd scored 23 points, just missing her playoff career-high of 24 (at ATL, 9/21/16). She nailed a playoff career-high nine field goals and dished out five assists, the most for the 5-10 guard in postseason play.
Jewell Loyd scored seven of the Storm’s 12 fourth-quarter points.

STORM TEAM NOTES

Seattle’s 91 points equaled a franchise high for points in a playoff game (91, at PHO, 9/5/2010).
The Storm also equaled team playoff records for three-point field goals made with 13 (13, twice, vs. PHO, 8/24/2007 and at PHO, 9/17/2011) and for assists with 24 (24, vs. SAC, 10/5/2007).
The 32 3-point field goal attempts by Seattle set a franchise playoff high (30, vs. PHO, 8/27/2007).
Seattle improved to 4-5 all-time against Phoenix in postseason play, including 3-2 at KeyArena.

MERCURY TEAM NOTES

With her eighth point in tonight’s game, Diana Taurasi passed Tamika Catchings as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer in the playoffs. Taurasi also became the league’s all-time leader in field goals made in the playoffs tonight.
Diana Taurasi also passed Tamika Catchings for second on the WNBA’s all-time assists list in the postseason, and now trails only Lindsay Whalen.
Diana Taurasi finished with 25 points, recording her 36^th career playoff game of 20 points or more. Taurasi also added eight rebounds and six assists
DeWanna Bonner recorded her third double-double of this year’s WNBA Playoffs, adding 27 points and 13 rebounds today.
Brittney Griner was held in check this evening, recording 13 points and four rebounds. Griner dished five assists in the loss.
Seattle took advantage of 16 Mercury turnovers this evening, turning them into 22 points, while Phoenix turned 12 Storm turnovers into 15 points.
Phoenix will look to even the series back up on Tuesday night in Game 2 at KeyArena.

NEXT GAME: Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 28. Tip-off at KeyArena is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.