SEATTLE — Ezi Magbegor scored 13 of her 21 points in the first quarter, Skylar Diggins-Smith added 17 points and the Seattle Storm won their fifth straight game with an 80-62 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.
On the day Seattle (6-3) announced a contract extension for Magbegor that will keep her with the team through the 2025 season, the forward from Australia sparked the Storm to a fast start. The 13 points in the first quarter were the most Magbegor has scored in any quarter of her career, as she hit her first six shots before a miss.
Jewell Loyd finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Seattle led by as many as 21 in the first half on its way to the easy victory.
Seattle rolled despite playing without starting forward Nneka Ogwumike, who was out with an eye injury. Ogwumike missed two games last month due to an ankle issue.
Kahleah Cooper led Phoenix (4-6) with 19 points, but the Mercury lost for the fifth time in six games. Phoenix snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Los Angeles on Sunday, but is 1-5 away from home to start the season.
Natasha Cloud added 10 points but no other Phoenix player scored in double figures.
Diana Taurasi, coming off a 31-point performance in the win over Los Angeles, had just seven points on 3-of-12 shooting. Taurasi also failed to make a 3-pointer for the second time this season despite entering the game with the most made 3s of any player in the league with 31. Taurasi missed all six of her attempts.
Phoenix led the WNBA in 3-pointers made, but finished just 4 of 23 from beyond the arc.
The Storm continued their winning streak on Tuesday night as they defeated the Mercury for their fifth consecutive victory. The game was a hard-fought battle between two of the top teams in the WNBA, but ultimately it was Seattle who came out on top.
The Storm got off to a strong start, taking an early lead in the first quarter. They were able to maintain their momentum throughout the game, thanks in large part to the stellar play of their star players. Breanna Stewart led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jewell Loyd added 18 points of her own.
The Mercury put up a tough fight, with Diana Taurasi leading the way with 20 points. However, they were unable to overcome the Storm’s strong defense and efficient offense. Seattle’s ability to move the ball and find open shots proved to be the difference in the game.
The win improves the Storm’s record to 8-1 on the season, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the league. Their chemistry and teamwork have been key factors in their success, as they continue to find ways to win games even when faced with tough competition.
With this victory, the Storm have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA this season. Their impressive winning streak is a testament to their talent and determination, and they will look to continue their success as they push towards the playoffs. Fans can expect more exciting games and impressive performances from the Storm as they aim to capture another championship title.