The Seattle Storm (16-8) weren’t at their greatest final Sunday, however nonetheless managed to tug off a win over the Atlanta Dream (7-16), thanks largely to the efforts of their two youngest starters.
Jordan Horston and Ezi Magbegor, aged 23 and 24, respectively, had been terrific in Seattle’s 81-70 victory, combining to attain 34 factors on a extremely environment friendly 16-for-22 taking pictures from the sector. The duo additionally racked up 5 offensive rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocked photographs, completely outplaying their particular person matchups in each space the Storm have been counting on them for.
On a group with elite offensive abilities equivalent to Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, Horston and Magbegor’s work on the opposite finish of the courtroom has been essential to Seattle’s success. They’ve usually sacrificed their very own offensive output, deferring to the group’s stars whereas bearing the burden of its most tough defensive assignments. The Storm at the moment rank third within the WNBA in defensive ranking (93.6 factors allowed per 100 possessions) and opponents’ turnover fee (20.2 %), and if these numbers maintain for the remainder of the season, each Horston and Magbegor are positive to get heavy consideration for the WNBA’s All-Protection groups.
On Sunday, nonetheless, the Storm’s younger duo confirmed that they’re additionally able to stepping up offensively. Although Seattle’s veterans had been uncharacteristically inefficient and Diggins-Smith was compelled to exit early on account of damage, Horston and Magbegor picked up the slack, notably throughout a late fourth-quarter run that put the sport out of attain after Atlanta had stored issues shut a lot of the means.
“They’re each taking part in with loads of confidence. After they’re in a position to give us some additional elevate on the offensive finish, that’s wonderful as a result of we at all times discuss their defensive tenacity and their athleticism,” mentioned Storm head coach Noelle Quinn after the sport. “However after they’re taking part in effectively on the offensive finish, it’s nice for us.”
For Magbegor, that isn’t new. Final season, she averaged a career-high 13.8 factors on 51.3 % taking pictures whereas taking part in in all 40 video games, and has put up comparable offensive numbers to this point in 2024.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25531725/2161465484.jpg)
Horston, alternatively, has made a number of noticeable enhancements in her second season as a professional. Whereas she usually struggled together with her personal tempo of play as a rookie, she’s letting the sport come to her now, leading to a substantial bounce in scoring effectivity: 48.4 % taking pictures from the sector, up from 36.7 % in 2023. The proficient wing has at all times been able to stuffing the stat sheet—her collegiate profession at Tennessee was a statistically productive one—however she’s taken a less-is-more strategy as a member of the Storm, combining her pure athletic presents together with her tenacity on protection to gasoline her group.
“She’s rising in loads of methods,” Quinn mentioned of Horston. “It’s not at all times going to be excellent, however what I actually prefer to see is the boldness she performs with, and her next-play mentality is enhancing … that exhibits loads of maturity.”
“We all know who Jordan is,” added Magbegor. “She’s athletic and he or she likes to run. When she’s operating, she’s scanning the ground and trying to kick it forward. It ignites us.”
For now, Horston and Magbegor can follow their roles of stoppers and defensive playmakers. The core of Loyd, Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith is sufficient to carry the group on most nights, and the way nicely the trio performs through the playoffs will decide how far the Storm get of their quest for a fifth championship.
There’ll come a time, nonetheless, when Seattle’s children will likely be requested to take over and lead the franchise. Their stellar play on Sunday offered a quick glimpse into that future, and if the Storm’s coaches are right of their assessments, the group will likely be in good arms.
