In an exciting match at the Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Storm team ended the Minnesota Lynx’s undefeated start in the 2025 WNBA season, overcoming an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to secure a 94-84 victory. This result marks the Lynx’s first defeat, leaving them with a 9-1 record. The game remained close until the end, with Minnesota cutting the deficit to one point thanks to a three-pointer by Kayla McBride with just over a minute left. However, Seattle’s Erica Wheeler responded with another three-pointer, starting a 9-0 run that sealed the victory for the Storm.
Despite the loss, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve downplayed the significance of a single defeat in the extensive 44-game regular season of the WNBA. The encounter had significant implications for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup standings. Seattle tied Minnesota, the current Commissioner’s Cup champion, at the top of the Western standings with a 3-1 record. The Seattle team demonstrated its ability to compete against high-level teams. The Seattle team had an outstanding performance, with Nneka Ogwumike scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Wheeler contributing nine assists and 20 points. Skylar Diggins also shone with 18 points and six assists, becoming the fastest player in league history to reach 5,000 points and 1,500 assists in 302 games. Dominique Malonga, the second draft pick, also played a key role for the Storm, scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds in 13 minutes of play. Although the defeat was not favorable for the Lynx, Reeve was already focused on the team’s next game on Saturday against the Sparks.I’m not worried. This doesn’t mean anything. We didn’t play well enough to win. It’s probably a good message: if you want to win on the road, especially in a place like Seattle and against a team like Seattle, you have to play a lot better.
Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach
