2021 Seattle Storm season

Last updated

2021 Seattle Storm season
Coach Noelle Quinn (since May 30)
Dan Hughes (before May 30)
Arena Angel of the Winds Arena
Attendance2,607 per game
Results
Record2111 (.656)
Place3rd (Western)
Playoff finish4th seed; Lost in Second Round to Phoenix Mercury
Team Leaders
Points Breanna Stewart – 20.3 ppg
Rebounds Breanna Stewart – 9.5 rpg
Assists Sue Bird – 5.3 apg

The 2021 Seattle Storm season is the franchise's 22nd season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Due to ongoing renovations at the Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm played their home games at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. [1]

Contents

On May 30, 2021, head coach Dan Hughes announced his retirement; the Storm named associate head coach Noelle Quinn as his permanent replacement. [2]

The Storm started the season with a finals rematch against the Las Vegas Aces. They split the series at home, 1–1. The rest of the opening month went smoother for the team, as that would be their only loss in May. Two of their wins game in overtime as well. The strong start continued into June, with the team winning their first two games of the month to extend their winning streak to six games. That streak was snapped on June 6, with a one point loss to Dallas. A five game winning streak followed the loss, but it was broken by the Storm losing their last two games of June to finish the month 7–3. The team won four of their five games in July, with their only loss coming away against Phoenix. They took a 16–5 record into the Olympic break.

The first game back from the Olympic break was the inaugural Commissioner's Cup Final, which the Storm won. The game was a dominating 79-57 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Breanna Stewart was named MVP of the game. However, she would not play in their next two games, which the Storm would both lose. The team turned their streak around with two wins, but they were followed by two losses, to give the Storm a 2–5 record in August. September proved to be a better month as the team won three of their four games to finish the season with a 21–11 record.

Their record earned them the fourth seed in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs, which gave them a bye into the Second Round. The Storm hosted the Phoenix Mercury and lost 80–85 in overtime; Stewart did not play in the game.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
111 Aaliyah Wilson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Texas A&M
218 Kiana Williams Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Stanford
223 N'dea Jones Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Texas A&M
335 Natalie Kucowski Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Lafayette

Trades and roster changes

DateDetails
February 1, 2021Re-Signed G Epiphanny Prince [3]
February 8, 2021F Crystal Langhorne retired [4]
Signed F Candice Dupree [5]
February 10, 2021Acquired the No. 1 pick in the 2021 WNBA draft and two picks in the 2022 WNBA draft from the New York Liberty in exchange for F Natasha Howard via sign-and-trade [6]
Acquired F Mikiah Herbert Harrigan from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2022 WNBA draft [6]
Acquired F Katie Lou Samuelson and a second-round pick in the 2022 WNBA draft from the Dallas Wings in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the 2021 WNBA draft [6]
Acquired the rights to F Stephanie Talbot from the New York Liberty in exchange for G Sami Whitcomb via sign-and-trade [6]
February 11, 2021Signed F Stephanie Talbot [7] [8]
March 1, 2021Re-Signed G Sue Bird [9]
March 15, 2021F Morgan Tuck retired [10]
April 15, 2021Acquired G Kennedy Burke from the Indiana Fever in exchange for the rights to F Aaliyah Wilson [11]
April 17, 2021Signed G Kiana Williams [8] [12]
May 28, 2021Set F Mikiah Herbert Harrigan as inactive [13] [12]
June 28, 2021Waived G Kiana Williams [14]
July 1, 2021Signed F Cierra Burdick to 7-day contract [15]
July 2, 2021Waived F Candice Dupree [16]
July 5, 2021Signed F N'dea Jones to 7-day contract [17]
July 23, 2021Signed G Kiana Williams to 7-Day Contract [18]
August 18, 2021Signed F Cierra Burdick to a Rest-Of-Season Contract [19]
August 23, 2021Signed F Karlie Samuelson to a Rest-Of-Season Contract [20]

Roster

2021 Seattle Storm roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Bird, Sue 5' 9" (1.75m)150 lb (68kg)1980-10-16 Connecticut 17
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg Burdick, Cierra 6' 2" (1.88m)172 lb (78kg)1993-09-30 Tennessee 4
G 8 Flag of the United States.svg Burke, Kennedy 6' 1" (1.85m)182 lb (83kg)1997-02-14 UCLA 2
G 21 Flag of the United States.svg Canada, Jordin 5' 6" (1.68m)135 lb (61kg)1995-08-11 UCLA 3
G 24 Flag of the United States.svg Loyd, Jewell 5' 10" (1.78m)148 lb (67kg)1993-10-05 Notre Dame 6
C 13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Magbegor, Ezi 6' 4" (1.93m)176 lb (80kg)1999-08-13 Australia 1
G 11 Flag of Russia.svg Prince, Epiphanny 5' 9" (1.75m)179 lb (81kg)1988-01-11 Rutgers 11
C 2 Flag of the United States.svg Russell, Mercedes 6' 6" (1.98m)195 lb (88kg)1995-07-27 Tennessee 3
F 44 Flag of the United States.svg Samuelson, Karlie 6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg)1995-05-10 Stanford 2
F 33 Flag of the United States.svg Samuelson, Katie Lou 6' 3" (1.91m)163 lb (74kg)1997-06-13 Connecticut 2
F 30 Flag of the United States.svg Stewart, Breanna 6' 4" (1.93m)170 lb (77kg)1994-08-27 Connecticut 4
F 7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Talbot, Stephanie 6' 2" (1.88m)192 lb (87kg)1994-06-15 Australia 3
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg / Flag of Bulgaria.svg Noelle Quinn (UCLA)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Gary Kloppenburg (UC San Diego)
Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Webb (Seattle)
Flag of the United States.svg Perry Huang (Fresno Pacific)
Athletic trainer
Caroline Durocher

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Game log

Preseason

2021 pre-season game log
May: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 8@ Phoenix W 88–71 Ezi Magbegor (17) Ezi Magbegor (7) Jordin Canada (6) Phoenix Suns Arena
1,985
1–0
2May 10 Phoenix W 103–93 K. Williams
Dupree (12)
Stephanie Talbot (5) Sue Bird (7) Angel of the Winds Arena 2–0
2021 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2021 game log
Total: 21–11 (Home: 11–5; Road: 10–6)
May: 5–1 (Home: 3–1; Road: 2–0)
June : 7–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 5–1)
July : 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
17July 2 Atlanta W 91–88 Sue Bird (15) Mercedes Russell (7) Sue Bird (5) Angel of the Winds Arena
3,011
13–4
18July 4@ Los Angeles W 84–74 Breanna Stewart (21) Ezi Magbegor (9) Jordin Canada (5) Los Angeles Convention Center
716
14–4
19July 7 Los Angeles W 71–62 Breanna Stewart (27) Breanna Stewart (11) Sue Bird (5) Angel of the Winds Arena
2,730
15–4
20July 9@ Phoenix L 77–85 Jewell Loyd (16) Breanna Stewart (13) Sue Bird (5) Phoenix Suns Arena
7,554
15–5
21July 11 Phoenix W 82–75 Epiphanny Prince (15) Mercedes Russell (10) Jewell Loyd (6) Angel of the Winds Arena
5,110
16–5
August : 2–5 (Home: 0–2; Road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
CC August 12vs. Connecticut W 79–57 Breanna Stewart (17) Mercedes Russell (7) Sue Bird (5) Footprint Center
5,006
N/A
22August 15@ Chicago L 85–87 Jewell Loyd (26) Mercedes Russell (11) Mercedes Russell (7) Wintrust Arena
6,231
16–6
23August 18@ New York L 79–83 Jewell Loyd (35) Stephanie Talbot (5) Jordin Canada (6) Barclays Center
2,103
16–7
24August 20@ New York W 99–83 Jewell Loyd (29) Breanna Stewart (14) Sue Bird (6) Barclays Center
3,889
17–7
25August 22@ Washington W 85–78 Breanna Stewart (20) Breanna Stewart (12) Bird
Talbot (4)
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,114
18–7
26August 24@ Minnesota L 70–76 Breanna Stewart (18) Breanna Stewart (16) Sue Bird (7) Target Center
3,634
18–8
27August 27 Chicago L 69–73 Breanna Stewart (18) Breanna Stewart (8) Sue Bird (4) Angel of the Winds Arena
3,650
18–9
28August 29 Chicago L 75–107 Breanna Stewart (19) Breanna Stewart (6) Sue Bird (7) Angel of the Winds Arena
3,750
18–10
September : 3–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
29September 2 New York W 85–75 Breanna Stewart (33) Breanna Stewart (8) Breanna Stewart (5) Angel of the Winds Arena
3,592
19–10
30September 7 Washington W 105–71 Jewell Loyd (20) Loyd
Magbegor (6)
Sue Bird (7) Angel of the Winds Arena
2,390
20–10
31September 12@ Los Angeles L 53–81 Epiphanny Prince (12) Ezi Magbegor (6) Jewell Loyd (3) Staples Center
4,181
20–11
32September 17 Phoenix W 94–85 Jewell Loyd (37) Mercedes Russell (8) Sue Bird (7) Angel of the Winds Arena
6,000
21–11
2021 season schedule

Playoffs

2021 playoff game log
Total: 0–1
Second Round
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 26 Phoenix 80–85 (OT) Katie Lou Samuelson (18) Mercedes Russell (12) Bird
Loyd (5)
Angel of the Winds Arena
5,375
0–1
2021 playoff schedule

Standings

#Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xConnecticut Sun 266.81312–315–111–59–1
2xLas Vegas Aces 248.750211–413–311–56–4
3xMinnesota Lynx 2210.688410–513–39–77–3
4xSeattle Storm 2111.65659–611–510–68–2
5xPhoenix Mercury 1913.59476–97–912–45–5
6xChicago Sky 1616.5001010–56–1010–66–4
7xDallas Wings 1418.438127–87–97–93–7
8xNew York Liberty 1220.375146–97–95–115–5
9eWashington Mystics 1220.375147–88–84–124–6
10eLos Angeles Sparks 1220.375142–138–84–121–9
11eAtlanta Dream 824.250186–94–124–124–6
12eIndiana Fever 626.188204–114–122–142–8

Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Playoffs

First round
Single elimination
Sept. 23
Second round
Single elimination
Sept. 26
Semifinals
Best-of-five
Sept. 28 – Oct. 8
WNBA Finals
Best-of-five
Oct. 10 – Oct. 17
2 Las Vegas Aces 9691609384
4 Seattle Storm 805 Phoenix Mercury 90117877687
5 Phoenix Mercury 835 Phoenix Mercury 85OT5 Phoenix Mercury 7791OT5074
8 New York Liberty 826 Chicago Sky 91868680
1 Connecticut Sun 95798369
3 Minnesota Lynx 766 Chicago Sky 1012OT688679
6 Chicago Sky 816 Chicago Sky 89
7 Dallas Wings 64

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Breanna Stewart 282833.443.933.384.79.52.71.21.820.3
Jewell Loyd 313131.042.037.688.94.03.81.50.217.9
Sue Bird 303027.743.141.983.32.65.30.90.110.0
Mercedes Russell 302824.761.70.076.66.11.60.90.47.3
Katie Lou Samuelson 272421.045.635.173.13.51.70.70.37.0
Ezi Magbegor 30315.250.955.684.63.80.80.60.96.7
Epiphanny Prince 29214.343.950.089.71.61.70.70.25.8
Jordin Canada 29318.738.921.484.12.33.00.70.15.8
Stephanie Talbot 30917.948.341.575.02.91.60.50.45.7
Karlie Samuelson 3010.730.012.51000.30.70.00.03.0
Kennedy Burke 2307.744.633.362.50.80.30.30.12.9
Cierra Burdick 705.025.00.050.01.70.40.30.30.4

Awards and honors

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Breanna Stewart Western Conference Player of the Week May 24 [21]
Western Conference Player of the Month - May June 2 [22]
Jewell Loyd Western Conference Player of the Week June 7 [23]
Breanna StewartJune 14 [24]
June 21 [25]
Sue Bird WNBA All-Star Selection June 30 [26]
Jewell Loyd
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart WNBA All-Defensive Second Team September 26 [27]
Jewell Loyd All-WNBA First Team October 15 [28]
Breanna Stewart

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle Storm</span> American professional womens basketball team

The Seattle Storm are an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The Storm compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. The team was founded by Ginger Ackerley and her husband Barry ahead of the 2000 season. The team is currently owned by Force 10 Hoops LLC, which is composed of Seattle businesswomen Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel, and Ginny Gilder, along with former player Sue Bird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sue Bird</span> American basketball player (born 1980)

Suzanne Brigit Bird is an American former professional basketball player who played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird was drafted first overall pick by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft and is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history. As of 2024, Bird is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades. She held a front office position for the NBA's Denver Nuggets as their Basketball Operations Associate. She has also played for three teams in the Russian league and holds dual citizenship with both U.S. and Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breanna Stewart</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Breanna Mackenzie Stewart, nicknamed "Stewie", is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is one of the most accomplished women in basketball history. Stewart is also a founder of the Unrivaled basketball league along with Napheesa Collier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Lou Samuelson</span> American basketball player (born 1997)

Katie Lou Samuelson is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. Samuelson is also the director of player development for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ezi Magbegor</span> Australian basketball player (born 1999)

Eziyoda "Ezi" Magbegor is an Australian professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and USK Prague of the EuroLeague Women and the Czech Women's Basketball League. Magbegor was a member of the Australian Women's basketball team (Opals) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Opals were eliminated after losing to the US in the quarterfinals. She was part of the Australian team that won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 2018 WNBA season was the 19th season for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began May 20 and ended on August 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Seattle Storm season</span> WNBA team season

The 2019 WNBA season was the 20th season for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on May 25 with a game against the Phoenix Mercury.

The 2020 Seattle Storm season was the franchise's 21st season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The regular season was originally scheduled to tip off at home versus the Dallas Wings on May 15, 2020. However, the beginning of the 2020 WNBA schedule was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortened season tipped off on July 25, 2020, versus the New York Liberty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikiah Herbert Harrigan</span> British basketball player (born 1998)

Mikiah "Kiki" Herbert Harrigan is a British basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for CB Avenida of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto. She played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 WNBA season</span> Sports season

The 2021 WNBA season was the 25th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Seattle Storm were the defending champions. In the playoffs, the Chicago Sky won in four games over the Phoenix Mercury. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams played a 32-game season that included mini two-game series to reduce travel. The regular season ran from May 14 to September 19, with a break from July 12 to August 11 for the Olympic Games.

The 2021 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season began on May 14, 2021, versus the Phoenix Mercury.

The 2021 WNBA season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on May 14, 2021, at the Minnesota Lynx.

Kiana Williams is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted 18th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2021 WNBA draft after playing college basketball at Stanford.

The 2022 WNBA season was the 26th season for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on May 6, 2022, versus the Chicago Sky.

The 2022 Seattle Storm season was the franchise's 23rd season in the Women's National Basketball Association. This was the first season back in the newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena.

The 2023 Connecticut Sun season was the 25th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It was the 21st season for the franchise in Connecticut after relocating from Orlando.

The 2023 New York Liberty season was the 27th season for the New York Liberty franchise of the WNBA, and their second season under head coach Sandy Brondello.

The 2023 Minnesota Lynx season was the 25th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the fourteenth season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.

The 2023 Seattle Storm season was the franchise's 24th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and the second full season under head coach Noelle Quinn. Quinn took over in May of the 2021 season.

The 2024 season for the Seattle Storm, a professional American basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, was their 25th season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). It was their third full season with Noelle Quinn as head coach. The Storm play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle; the 2024 season was their first at a new training facility, the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance in Interbay.

References

  1. "Seattle Storm announce 2021 regular season schedule". Seattle Storm. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  2. "Dan Hughes announces retirement from the WNBA". Seattle Storm. May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  3. "Seattle Storm Re-Signs Epiphanny Prince". Seattle Storm. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  4. "Crystal Langhorne retires, joins Storm front office as Director of Community Engagement, Force4Change". Seattle Storm. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  5. "Seattle Storm Signs Seven-Time All-Star Candice Dupree". Seattle Storm. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Storm acquires Katie Lou Samuelson, Mikiah "Kiki" Herbert Harrigan; Rights to Stephanie Talbot and two 2022 draft picks". Seattle Storm. February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  7. "Storm signs Stephanie Talbot, Tamera Young". Seattle Storm. February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "SEATTLE SETS ROSTER FOR SATURDAY'S HOME OPENER". Seattle Storm. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  9. "Storm re-signs four-time WNBA Champion Sue Bird". Seattle Storm. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  10. "Morgan Tuck announces retirement". Seattle Storm. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  11. "Seattle Storm acquire Kennedy Burke in draft-day trade". Seattle Storm. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Transactions". WNBA.com. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  13. "Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to miss 2021 season due to pregnancy". Seattle Storm. May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  14. "Storm waives Kiana Williams". Seattle Storm. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  15. "Storm signs forward Cierra Burdick to 7-day contract". Seattle Storm. July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  16. "Seattle Storm waives Candice Dupree". Seattle Storm. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  17. "Storm signs forward N'dea Jones to 7-day contract". Seattle Storm. July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  18. "Storm signs guard Kiana Williams to 7-day contract". Seattle Storm. July 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  19. "Storm signs forward Cierra Burdick for remainder of season". Seattle Storm. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  20. "Storm adds Karlie Samuelson for remainder of season". Seattle Storm. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  21. "Season 25 – Week 1: Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  22. "Stewart named Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month". Seattle Storm. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  23. "Jonquel Jones and Jewell Loyd Named Week 3 Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  24. "Breanna Stewart and Tina Charles Named Week 4 Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  25. "Courtney Vandersloot, Breanna Stewart Named Week 5 Players Of Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  26. "Rosters Set for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 on July 14". wnba.com. WNBA. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  27. Voepel, Mechelle (September 26, 2021). "Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA Defensive Player of Year for 4th time in career". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  28. "The 2021 All-WNBA First & Second Team Announced". wnba.com. WNBA. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.