Storm vs Mercury Preview: Loyd & Cooper Lead Four Giants Clash, Can Storm Defend Home Court?

On September 8 at 9 AM, the WNBA regular season continues with the Seattle Storm hosting the Phoenix Mercury.

The Storm lost their last game to the Liberty and have a record of 20 wins and 14 losses, ranking fifth in the league. They have secured a playoff spot but still need to fight for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Storm’s offense and defense are relatively balanced, averaging 82.8 points per game, ranking sixth in the league, and conceding 78.8 points per game, ranking fourth. Their home record is 12 wins and 5 losses, significantly better than their away record of 8 wins and 9 losses.

Loyd is the leading scorer for the Storm, averaging 20.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, though her shooting percentage is average. Ogwumike and Magbegor form an excellent inside combination on both ends of the court, with Ogwumike averaging 16.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and Magbegor averaging 11.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, serving as the team’s interior defensive anchor. Diggins averages 14.6 points and 6.4 assists, with the Storm’s offense primarily relying on these four players. With Gabby Williams returning to the team, the Storm’s bench depth has improved, but apart from these five players, the Storm lacks other consistent scoring options.

The Mercury have a record of 17 wins and 18 losses, ranking seventh in the league, and have already secured a playoff spot. They still have a chance to improve their ranking. The Mercury average 82.1 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, but concede 84.4 points per game, ranking fourth from the bottom. Given the team’s older roster, the Mercury’s defensive effort is generally average. Their home and away records also differ significantly, with a home record of 10 wins and 8 losses, and an away record of 7 wins and 10 losses.

The Mercury have three members of the US women’s national team. Cooper is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 21.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Griner, known as the female beast, averages 18.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Veteran Taurasi averages 15 points and 4 rebounds per game. With Cloud averaging 11.6 points and 6.8 assists per game, the Mercury’s offense mainly relies on these four players, similar to the Storm. Both teams have luxurious starting lineups, but their bench depth is average.

This season, the two teams have met twice, each winning one game. The Storm won by 18 points at home against the Mercury but lost by 9 points away. Both teams show strong home court advantages and weaker away performances. It remains to be seen if the Storm can seize this opportunity playing at home.

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