The Seattle Storm will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday at 10 PM EDT. Seattle, holding a 16-11 overall record and 9-6 in the Western Conference, recently secured a 101-85 win over the Connecticut Sun, with a strong 26-point performance. The Storm currently sit second in the Western Conference, averaging 21.1 assists per game, led by Skylar Diggins. Meanwhile, the Sparks have struggled with a 3-11 record in conference play and allow an average of 87.3 points per game, though they outscore opponents by 2.7 points on average.
Seattle has a shooting percentage of 44.6% this season, slightly below the 45.5% shooting allowed by Los Angeles. The Sparks shoot 45.5% from the field, while their opponents average 42.9%, which is 2.6 points higher than what Seattle allows. This game marks their second matchup of the season; in their previous meeting on June 18th, the Storm dominated with a 26-point lead, powered by Ogwumike’s performance, while Rickea Jackson led the Sparks with 17 points.
Key players for Seattle include Ogwumike, who shoots 51.9% and averages 17.4 points, and Diggins, who averages 11.8 points over the last 10 games. For the Sparks, Kelsey Plum averages 20.2 points and 6 assists, and Dearica Hamby has put up 19.4 points in her last ten outings. In their last 10 games, the Storm hold a 6-4 record with averages of 77.4 points, 31.8 rebounds, 19.7 assists, 8.6 steals, 5.6 blocks, and 42.9% shooting, while opponents average 73.7 points. The Sparks also have a 6-4 record in this span, averaging 89.5 points, 33.3 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 6.4 steals, 3.0 blocks, and 48.1% shooting, with opponents scoring 88.7 points on average.
Injuries to note include Katie Lou Samuelson of the Storm, who is out for the season with a knee injury, while the Sparks have no listed injuries.
Fan Take: This matchup is crucial for both teams as the playoff push intensifies in the Western Conference. For WNBA fans, it highlights the competitive nature of the league and showcases top talent like Ogwumike and Plum, signaling an exciting season with potential shifts in conference power dynamics.
