Seattle drops season opener to the Lynx 83-70

It was supposed to be a debut of the new look Storm squad. This is after they finished with the second worst record in the league at 11-29 last season following Sue Bird's retirement. The new Seattle owner Bird was in her court side seat to watch Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike blend with their new teammates. Diggins-Smith returned to the floor after missing the 2023 season while on maternity leave. Ogwumike left Southern California for the first time in her WNBA career to sign with Seattle. She spent her first 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. It was a shaky debut.

In the end, Ogwumike ended with 20 points, nine rebounds, and Diggins-Smith finished with 10 points. Seattle was just 1 of 9 on 3s and committed 17 turnovers. Jewell Loyd, last year's WNBA leading scorer at 24.7 points, was held to 10 points on 3-of-19 shooting.

Minnesota leaned on its defense to frustrate the Storm into a difficult night at the offensive end. It was Alanna Smith who scored 16 of her career-high 22 points in the first half, Napheesa Collier who scored seven of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, a performance that led to a decisive victory.

There is no need to worry, the Storm will soon get it together after getting their chemistry together. The teams will play again Friday night in Minnesota for the Lynx's home opener