After a strong start to the season, the Seattle Storm have found themselves in a rough stretch due to their inconsistent performances. This has sparked worries from Storm coach Noelle Quinn, who is seeking ways to address their recent woes.
The Storm has split their last four assignments. They are sitting on a 13-9 record, including a 7-4 card at home. On Sunday, they lost to the Washington Mystics, 74-69, after a dismal showing in the fourth quarter. They held a 10-point lead but failed to close it out, leading to the sorry loss.
Noelle Quinn Sounds Alarm Amid Seattle Storm’s Slide
For Quinn, the Storm should always come out firing, stressing the importance of “setting the tone” right away. It’s imperative for the squad to play with energy on both ends and compete with a purpose.
“Our starts have been bad. It’s the pace, the lack of intentionality with our cuts. You expect that to happen within the course of the game, but not the first few possessions,” the 40-year-old tactician said in a report from Seattle Times’ Percy Allen.
Allen noted that in the opening frame versus the Mystics, the Storm only made three of their 18 attempts from the field. In their game against the Connecticut Sun on Friday, they only sank four of their 17 shots in the first quarter.
Quinn, however, also pointed out that avoiding lapses, especially in “moments that shouldn’t happen” is as important as starting strong.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
“In the fourth quarter, we’re turning the ball over way too much. I believe we had 11 and they had eight points off our turnovers in the fourth,” added Quinn, citing their battle with Washington.
Ezi Magbegor scored a season-high 19 points for the Storm in a losing effort against the Mystics. Nneka Ogwumike added 16 points, while Tiffany Mitchell, whom the team signed on Thursday, chipped in 12 points.
Fatigue Factor For Seattle Storm
The Storm played their fifth game in 11 days. While Quinn acknowledged that their schedule is not ideal, she said they simply have to roll up their sleeves and carry on. Fortunately for them, the much-needed All-Star break is on the horizon.
“There is a fatigue factor I feel like that is setting in. But at the end of the day, we are we have to be professionals, show up, and at the start of games we have to be better,” said Quinn, who steered Seattle to a 25-15 record last season.
The Storm will face the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday before taking a midseason breather.