Season In Review: Seattle Storm


As the end of 2021 draws near, WNBA.com is wrapping up this 25th season by recapping each team’s season. Take a look back at notable contributors and season highlights with the 2021 Season In Review. Next up is the Seattle Storm.

Overview:

The reigning WNBA Champions looked to capture their fifth title this season. However, the Storm headed into this season with a much different look than last. While the Storm did return their ‘Big Three’ (Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd, and Breanna Stewart), they lost key contributors in free agency, including Natasha Howard, Alysha Clark, and Sami Whitcomb. Newcomers arrived to fill the gaps, including Katie Lou Samuelson via trade. On top of roster changes Head Coach Dan Hughes retired six games into the season and Assistant Coach Noelle Quinn was announced as the new head coach.

Many assumed the season would be an uphill battle for the team with a new coach and a roster filled with new faces. However, it was quite the opposite for the Storm as they dominated the first half of the season with a league-best record, 16-5. The contributions from the dynamic trio of Bird, Loyd, and Stewart propelled the Storm’s success earning them a Commissioner’s Cup Championship spot as the best team in the West. At the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup Championship the Storm, led by Breanna Stewart’s stellar performance, defeated the Connecticut Sun in a blowout win, 79-57. Stewart was named the Commissioner’s Cup MVP.

Heading into the second half of the season, the Storm were in first place. However, once play resumed, the Storm struggled to close-out games. Then, it was announced Breanna Stewart was out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Resulting in the Storm dropping to the No.4 seed with a 21-11 season record. In the second round of the Playoffs, while the team fought hard, the No.5 Phoenix Mercury defeated them in overtime, 85-80.

This off-season could be eventful for the Storm as Bird, Loyd, and Stewart are all projected unrestricted free agents. The direction of the franchise could change depending on what occurs in free agency

Top Contributors:

Breanna Stewart

Before Breanna Stewart’s injury she was playing some of her best basketball and was one of the front runners for this year’s MVP award. The Storm’s early-season success was led by the 6-4 forward, who averaged 20.3 points (third in the WNBA), 9.5 rebounds (fifth), 2.7 assists, and 1.75 blocks (fifth). Her ability to change the game at any point was displayed on September 3rd vs. the New York Liberty when she put up 31 points to give the Storm the win including 21 second-half points. This season Stewart added to her illustrations resume, winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA, being named the Commissioner’s Cup MVP, and becoming the fastest player in league history to record 2,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.

Jewell Loyd

Jewell Loyd, aka the Gold Mamba, had herself a career-high season across the board averaging 17.9 points (seventh in the league), 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. She did not receive her nickname, Gold Mamba, for no reason. Loyd’s ability to hit clutch shots when needed is as elite as it comes. On June 4th, with less than a second to go in overtime, Loyd hit the game-winning three-pointer to give the Storm the win against the Dallas Wings, 105-102. In the second half of the season, Loyd became the team’s number one offensive option with Stewart out, and well, she did not disappoint. The 5-10 guard dropped a career-high 37 points, including 22 first-quarter points to secure the Storm’s win. Her 22 points tied a WNBA record for points in a quarter. The electric guard picked up her first All-WNBA First Team nod. She also won her first Olympic gold medal with Team USA this summer.

Sue Bird

History has always been a familiar word for Sue Bird, but it was extra familiar this season. The 18-year veteran returned to the Seattle Storm as the team’s leader and floor general averaging 5.3 assists per game. The All-Time Assists leader reached 3,000 career assists this season becoming the first WNBA player to accomplish this and set the league record for All-Star nods with 11. Also, the 4x WNBA Champion and friend Diana Taurasi became the only basketball players ever to win five gold medals. The list goes on…While Bird did not get her 5th Championship, as she had hoped for, Bird strengthened her legacy and her everlasting impact on the game.

Season Highlights:

White House Honors Seattle Storm

The Seattle Storm were honored for their 2020 Championship by the White House on August, 23rd. The Seattle Storm are the first professional women’s sports team to be honored under President Joe Biden and the first WNBA team to be celebrated at the White House since 2015.

Inaugural Commissioner’s Cup Champions: Breanna Stewart Named Commissioner’s Cup MVP

The Seattle Storm become the first Commissioner’s Cup Champions ever after defeating the Connecticut Sun, 79-57. Breanna Stewart was named the Commissioner’s Cup MVP after dropping a game-high 17 points and shot 3-for-4 from distance.

Two Storm Players Named to the 2021 All-WNBA First-Team

Breanna Steward and Jewell Loyd were selected to the 2021 All-WNBA First-Team after both having impressive seasons. This is Loyd’s first selection and Stewart’s fourth.

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