Storm vs Sparks Preview: Both Teams Battling Injuries Test Roster Depth, Storm Aim for Consecutive Home Wins

On September 16 at 6 AM, the WNBA regular season continues with the Seattle Storm hosting the Los Angeles Sparks.

The Storm previously secured a three-game winning streak and are in good form, ranking 5th in the league with a record of 23 wins and 14 losses. They trail the fourth-placed Aces by one game and lead the sixth-placed Fever by 4.5 games, having already secured a top-five spot, and still have a chance to move up to fourth, thereby gaining home advantage in the first round. The Storm is a relatively balanced team offensively and defensively, averaging 83.2 points per game, ranking fifth in the league, and conceding an average of 78.6 points per game, ranking fourth.

The Storm’s leading scorer is Loyd, who averages 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, possessing exceptional scoring power. Ogwumike and Magbegor form a versatile inside duo, with Ogwumike averaging 16.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while Magbegor averages 11.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, ranking second in the league in blocks, serving as a defensive anchor inside. Veteran Diggins averages 15 points and 6.4 assists per game and has been on fire recently. Additionally, Gabby Williams, Huston, Whitcomb, and others also possess considerable strength, making the Storm a formidable team overall.

The Sparks have suffered six consecutive losses and have lost 13 out of their last 14 games, being in extremely poor form, with a record of 7 wins and 30 losses, firmly at the bottom of the standings, losing any hope of making the playoffs long ago. The Sparks’ offense and defense are both lacking, averaging only 78.4 points per game, third from the bottom in the league, and conceding an average of 86.5 points per game, also third from the bottom, with a net negative of 8.1 points per game, the worst in the league. Their away record is abysmal, with only 2 wins and 16 losses.

The Sparks’ leading scorer is veteran Hamby, averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Jackson, Stevens, and Sims also average double-digit points, with McDonald, Brown, and Nesbitt being key scorers for the team. However, the Sparks are currently dealing with serious injury issues, with Brink, McDonald, Clarendon, and Lexie Brown all ruled out, while Sims is questionable. One piece of good news is that, given the team’s numerous injuries, Chinese player Li Yuanyu is likely to see more playing time.

Of course, the Storm are also facing injury problems, with leading scorer Loyd and defensive anchor Magbegor both ruled out for this game, leaving both teams with incomplete rosters. In their previous three matchups this season, the Storm won all three, including a 16-point victory, with the other two games won by margins of 8 and 6 points respectively. Meeting again, both teams will be missing key players, testing the depth of each team’s bench.

>>”>More predictions for this game can be found here>>>