Katie Lou Samuelson will miss the season due to injury
Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn has confirmed that the team will support Katie Lou Samuelson in her recovery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during a practice.
Samuelson, who joined the Storm this offseason, will miss the WNBA season. Quinn expressed his regret over the injury, highlighting the player’s good physical condition and positive attitude during the preseason.
“She was having a great camp, in really good shape, her spirit was great, shooting the ball really well and able to fill some holes that we have. Obviously, the deficiency from the 3 was big, but defensively, the versatility. I knew this was going to be a big year for her.”
Noelle Quinn
Samuelson, selected at the number 4 pick of the 2019 draft, signed with the Storm in February after reaching an agreement to terminate her contract with the Indiana Fever. The player was returning to Seattle, where she had her best season in the WNBA in 2021.
After missing the 2023 season to give birth to her daughter, Samuelson signed with the Fever the previous offseason. She began the 2024 campaign as a starter but averaged just 4.3 points on 35% shooting, her lowest marks since her rookie year in 2019 with the Chicago Sky.
“Once I entered free agency, I really wanted a place where I felt comfortable and confident. I felt that Seattle, in talking with Noey and Talisa [Rhea], really gave me that comfort in knowing that I could come back here and have the opportunity to play and contribute in a way that had opportunities and the possibility of winning a lot of games.”
Katie Lou Samuelson
Although the one-year, $90,000 contract Samuelson signed with the Storm is not protected, the injury means Seattle is responsible for his salary until he can return. This will leave the Storm, who already planned to start the season with 11 players to stay under the WNBA salary cap, with 10 active players until they can create cap space to fill the 12th vacant roster spot.
The Storm also have two other players out this season due to ACL injuries: Nika Muhl and Jordan Horston. Quinn highlighted the importance of other players being able to cover multiple positions to make up for Samuelson’s absence.
“The good thing about what we did in the offseason was finding versatile players. We can move AC [[Alysha Clark] from the 3 to the 4 position and cover some gaps that I think Lou was also going to cover. Obviously, we can’t replace her, but we will use the rest of our roster to come up with some lineups.”
Noelle Quinn
WNBA teams must finalize their rosters for the regular season before May 16. Seattle will begin the season the following day, visiting the Phoenix Mercury.
