WNBA Game Preview: Washington Mystics (10-10) vs. Seattle Storm (13-8)

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Seattle Storm logo

Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Tipoff: 6:00 PM ET
Broadcast: MNMT, CW Seattle, WNBA League Pass

Game Overview

The Seattle Storm (13–8) host the Washington Mystics (10–10) in a cross-conference matchup that features two of the league’s most dynamic guards—Skylar Diggins and Brittney Sykes. Seattle is coming off a 79–65 win over Connecticut, while Washington stunned Las Vegas 70–68 in their last outing. Both teams are hovering around playoff contention and looking to build momentum heading into the All-Star break.

Projected Starting Lineups

Seattle Storm

G: Skylar Diggins – 18.2 PPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG

G: Gabby Williams – 14.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 1.9 SPG

F: Nneka Ogwumike – 16.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG

F: Alysha Clark – 4.7 PPG, 1.8 RPG

C: Ezi Magbegor – 6.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG

Washington Mystics

G: Brittney Sykes – 17.5 PPG, 4.6 APG, 1.3 SPG

G: Sonia Citron – 14.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG

F: Kiki Iriafen – 13.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG

F: Shakira Austin – 4.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG

C: Stefanie Dolson – 3.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG

Key Matchups

Diggins vs Sykes

Two top-15 scorers in the league, both capable of taking over games.

Diggins leads Seattle in assists and free throw attempts, while Sykes is Washington’s most explosive scorer.

Ogwumike vs Iriafen

Veteran vs rookie rebounding battle.

Ogwumike’s experience and post moves will test Iriafen’s physicality and defensive instincts.

Team Trends & Stats

CategoryMysticsStorm
Record10–10 (4–5 away)13–8 (8–5 home)
Points/Game78.682.1
FG%40.8%45.7%
3PT%36.3%34.1%
Rebounds/Game36.432.7
Turnovers/Game15.413.7
Last 5 GamesW–W–L–L–WW–L–W–W–L

X-Factor: Nneka Ogwumike’s rebounding and interior defense

GAME ODDS

Washington Mystics       159.5

Seattle Storm                    – 5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, July 12, 2025

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WNBA Editor
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.