WNBA Preview: Seattle Storm (9-4) vs Phoenix Mercury (6-7)

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Phoenix Mercury logo

The Seattle Storm have shown off their variety of weapons while rolling to eight victories in their last nine games.

They’ll try to continue their hot streak when they visit the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday afternoon.

The Storm’s bench had a significant role in the team’s most recent victory, a 92-84 road triumph against the Dallas Wings on Thursday night. Seattle (9-4) used just three reserves, but Jordan Horston, Sami Whitcomb and Mercedes Russell outscored their four Dallas counterparts 22-13 and added six rebounds and seven assists.

The Storm took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter and Horston made three consecutive shots and assisted on Whitcomb’s 3-pointer to help push the lead to 13.

The four Storm starters that average double figures in scoring had their usual impact as Ogwumike’s output was supplemented by Skylar Diggins-Smith’s 21 points, Jewell Loyd’s 19 points and Ezi Magbegor’s 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Mercury (6-7) are coming off a 103-99 home loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night. Phoenix led by 16 points at the end of the first quarter and stayed with the defending champions the whole way.

Brittney Griner led five Phoenix double-figure scorers with 25 points and added nine rebounds, Diana Taurasi scored 22 points and Kahleah Copper added 18 before fouling out in the final minute.

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Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.