Jewell Loyd led the Seattle Storm to an 85-81 victory over the Atlanta Dream with a stellar performance, scoring 28 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the final seconds. Despite Tina Charles achieving a triple-double for Atlanta, Seattle managed to secure the win. The Storm trailed by four points late in the game but rallied back with key plays from Nneka Ogwumike and Loyd.
Seattle’s defense played a pivotal role in the victory, with Skylar Diggins-Smith forcing a turnover that led to Loyd’s go-ahead 3-pointer. Ezi Magbegor’s steal and Loyd’s free throws further solidified Seattle’s lead in the closing moments of the game. Rhyne Howard’s missed shot for Atlanta and Gabby Williams’ steal off an inbounds pass sealed the win for Seattle.
In addition to Loyd’s impressive performance, Ogwumike contributed 18 points, and Diggins-Smith added 16 points and nine assists for the Storm. Charles’ historic triple-double for Atlanta included 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking a milestone in her career. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 22 points, while Jordin Canada and Howard chipped in with 12 points each.
Despite Atlanta briefly taking the lead in the second half, Seattle managed to regain control in the final minutes of the game. A key five-point possession allowed Atlanta to go ahead, but Loyd’s late-game heroics secured Seattle’s eighth consecutive home victory against Atlanta.