Storm avenge season-opening blowout loss to Sun

Published: Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 4:40 am

**Storm Soar to Victory Over Mercury in Home Opener, Avenging Season-Opening Loss**

The Seattle Storm showcased a dominant performance in their home opener, securing a hard-fought 77-70 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday. This win was particularly sweet for the Storm, as it served as a satisfying revenge for their season-opening 81-59 defeat at the hands of the Mercury.

Skylar Diggins was the star of the show for Seattle, pouring in 24 points and tying a franchise record with an impressive 14 assists, matching Sue Bird's record. Nneka Ogwumike also contributed significantly, matching Diggins' point total with 24 points and adding eight rebounds. Gabby Williams chipped in with 11 points, solidifying the Storm's offensive prowess.

The Mercury, now also with a 2-1 record, saw strong performances from Alyssa Thomas, who scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Satou Sabally, who scored 15 points. However, Sabally was held under 25 points for the first time this season. Monique Akoa Makani added 14 points for Phoenix.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the Storm trailing in the third quarter before mounting a comeback. The Mercury fought back, tying the game late in the fourth quarter, but Seattle's defense, led by Diggins and Ogwumike, proved too strong in the final minutes. Phoenix struggled from the floor in the closing stages, going 0-of-6 in the final 3:07.

The Storm's improved shooting, hitting 46.9% of their shots compared to their season-opening 33.3%, was a key factor in their victory. The Mercury, on the other hand, saw their shooting percentage drop to 42.9% after a strong performance in their first game.

BNN's Perspective: This game highlights the competitive nature of the WNBA. While the Mercury showed flashes of brilliance, the Storm's ability to bounce back from a tough loss and execute down the stretch demonstrates their resilience and potential for a strong season. The performance of Diggins and Ogwumike is a promising sign for Seattle's championship aspirations.

Keywords: Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, WNBA, Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, home opener, basketball, sports, game recap, victory, assists, points, rebounds, season opener, franchise record, Sue Bird, Monique Akoa Makani, Gabby Williams, basketball game

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