Diggins Makes History: Triple-Double in 23 Minutes with Seattle Storm

Skylar Diggins Makes History with a Triple-Double for the Seattle Storm

In an impressive performance, Skylar Diggins became the second player in Seattle Storm history to achieve a triple-double, demonstrating her versatility and leadership on the court. Diggins needed only three quarters to achieve this feat on Monday, scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in just 22 minutes and 51 seconds of play. According to data, this is the shortest time recorded for a triple-double in the WNBA. The Storm’s base saw the last quarter from the bench, while their team secured the victory with a score of 101-85 against Connecticut. Temeka Johnson was the only former Storm player to achieve a triple-double in the regular season or playoffs, scoring 13 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in an overtime loss against the New York Liberty in 2014. This achievement adds to Diggins’ first triple-double in a WNBA All-Star Game, solidifying her impact on women’s basketball. Diggins attributed her focus on rebounds to a conversation with Seattle coach Noelle Quinn during the All-Star break.

“Reiterating the rebound and just chasing the ball and how that helps us in the counterattack, just that mentality. I know I can rebound the ball, but I was really trying to chase it tonight. Then, obviously, the targets I can pass to, Nneka being one of them, people were open.”

Skylar Diggins

Seven of her 11 assists were for Nneka Ogwumike, who led the game with 26 points.

“It’s very rare that someone achieves those kinds of things, but when it happens, it makes sense when certain players do it and Sky is at the top of that list. I wouldn’t want to experience a triple-double with anyone else.”

Nneka Ogwumike

In the middle of the third quarter, Diggins secured her tenth rebound. Quinn, who was Johnson’s teammate in the triple-double, was happy to see Diggins join Johnson in reaching double digits in scoring, something she had achieved in almost every game this season.

“Simply the reward, you know, being coachable and understanding that rebounding isn’t just for getting a triple-double or statistics, but to help us as a team. We were plus 11, I think, on the boards today. We can’t just rely on our interior players. I think at the beginning of the season, she always talks about how she lets them go get it, but now, if you watch her play, going back to the All-Star Game, when she also had a triple-double, she goes for rebounds, and I think that’s important as we start our fast break.”

Noelle Quinn

Diggins surpassed her season-high rebound total in the first game after the break, with seven rebounds in the win over the Chicago Sky. However, she was disappointed with her performance on Saturday, where she scored only five points against the Washington Mystics.

“It was great that it happened tonight. Coming off a loss, I wanted to bounce back. Regardless of what the numbers were, I was just trying to do my part. I didn’t like how I played in Washington.”

Skylar Diggins

When Diggins made the free throws that completed the triple-double, the Storm’s bench erupted in jubilation.

“Sky is a special player, and we all know it. She’s been through a lot, especially this regular season. For her to do that today, here, on the road, in a game we really needed, was a special moment that she could share with her teammates. And I love that everyone loved that for her.”

Noelle Quinn