Storm loses a step as they lost their first game of the season to the Mystics, 89-71

Orlando- The Seattle Storm was stunned by the Washington Mystics, as they suffered their first lost 89-71.

The Storm looked unsettled and uneasy as the Mystics took it right to the Storm in the first half. Breanna Stewart got off to a very slow start. She had 9 points, 3 assist, and 5 rebounds. Sue Bird was non-existent in the half, as she had a rough start. Bird had 2 points and 2 rebounds. Mystics guard Ariel Atkins torched the Storm with her three-point shooting, which started a three-point storm for her team. Washington was 10 of16 from three-point land and put themselves up in double digits at the half, 52-32.

The second half was a total disaster for the Storm, as they lacked any type of urgency or energy. Shots were very flat and they turned the ball over a lot. They could not figure out how to stop the Mystics from getting wide-open looks behind the arc or stopping Emma Meesseman in the post. In the fourth quarter, the Storm attempted to make a late run, as they scored 14 straight points to cut the deficit to 12. However, the three-point shot was just in favor of the Mystics tonight, as they shot the three at 45% and sent the Storm packing.

Bird finished the game with 5 points, 1 assist, and 2 rebounds. Sami Whitcomb had 11 points and 2 assists and Stewart had 14 points, 3 assists, and 10 rebounds.