In an exhilarating encounter on Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks faced off in a thrilling double overtime showdown, with the Sparks narrowly clinching a 108-106 victory in their season’s first meeting.
The game highlighted remarkable individual performances, particularly from Nneka Ogwumike of the Sparks, who etched her name in WNBA history by becoming the first player over 34 years old to register a staggering 37 points and 12 rebounds in a game. Ogwumike’s impressive performance included 14-of-25 shooting from the field, marking her 200th career three-pointer, and she also became just the sixth player in league history to amass 7,000 career points while maintaining a shooting accuracy of at least 50%.
The matchup was a nail-biter, characterized by a flurry of 13 lead changes and 13 ties. The teams ended regulation tied at 86-86 before they exchanged punches in the first overtime. Skylar Diggins made a crucial driving layup to equalize at 99-99 and push the game into a second overtime.
In a dramatic sequence, Gabby Williams sank a pivotal three-pointer, leveling the score at 106-106 with under a minute left. However, the Sparks ultimately had the final say, putting in a decisive basket that sealed their victory.
Among the standout performers for the Storm, Skylar Diggins continued to shine with 18 points and six assists, extending her franchise-record streak of games with three or more assists to an impressive 67. Gabby Williams also had a significant impact, scoring all 14 of her points in the second half and contributing eight assists and five steals—becoming just the fourth player in Storm history to achieve such a feat. Ezi Magbegor was another key performer with 11 rebounds, five blocks, and nine points, tying the franchise record for the most consecutive games (three) with four or more blocks.
Despite the loss, Seattle showcased resilience, achieving season highs in points (106) and rebounds (42), along with 21 points from second-chance opportunities. The match saw a remarkable total of 110 points scored in the paint, the second-highest in Storm history.
Los Angeles’s offense was bolstered by Rickea Jackson’s 27 points and Kelsey Plum’s 22 points, while Dearica Hamby contributed significantly with 13 rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Storm will aim to bounce back in their next contest against the Indiana Fever on Sunday, August 3, at their home arena. The game is set to kick off at 12:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN+. This upcoming match presents a fresh opportunity for the Storm to build on their offensive performance and secure a vital win as they continue to pursue their season goals.