2021 Seattle Storm season
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{WNBA season
| team = Seattle Storm
| year = 2021
| attendance = 2,607
| wins = 21
| losses = 11
| conf = Western
| conf_place = 3
| coach = Noelle Quinn (since May 30)
Dan Hughes (before May 30)
| arena = Angel of the Winds Arena
| points = Breanna Stewart – 20.3 ppg
| rebounds = Breanna Stewart – 9.5 rpg
| assists = Sue Bird – 5.3 apg
| playoffs = 4th seed; Lost in Second Round to Phoenix Mercury
| television =
}}
The 2021 Seattle Storm season is the franchise's 22nd season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Due to ongoing renovations at the Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm played their home games at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.{{cite news |title=Seattle Storm announce 2021 regular season schedule |url=https://storm.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-announce-2021-regular-season-schedule/ |access-date=13 April 2021 |publisher=Seattle Storm |date=13 April 2021}}
On May 30, 2021, head coach Dan Hughes announced his retirement; the Storm named associate head coach Noelle Quinn as his permanent replacement.{{cite news |title=Dan Hughes announces retirement from the WNBA |url=https://storm.wnba.com/news/dan-hughes-announces-retirement-from-the-wnba/ |access-date=30 May 2021 |publisher=Seattle Storm |date=30 May 2021}}
The Storm started the season with a finals rematch against the Las Vegas Aces. They split the series at home, 1–1. The rest of the opening month went smoother for the team, as that would be their only loss in May. Two of their wins game in overtime as well. The strong start continued into June, with the team winning their first two games of the month to extend their winning streak to six games. That streak was snapped on June 6, with a one point loss to Dallas. A five game winning streak followed the loss, but it was broken by the Storm losing their last two games of June to finish the month 7–3. The team won four of their five games in July, with their only loss coming away against Phoenix. They took a 16–5 record into the Olympic break.
The first game back from the Olympic break was the inaugural Commissioner's Cup Final, which the Storm won. The game was a dominating 79-57 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Breanna Stewart was named MVP of the game. However, she would not play in their next two games, which the Storm would both lose. The team turned their streak around with two wins, but they were followed by two losses, to give the Storm a 2–5 record in August. September proved to be a better month as the team won three of their four games to finish the season with a 21–11 record.
Their record earned them the fourth seed in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs, which gave them a bye into the Second Round. The Storm hosted the Phoenix Mercury and lost 80–85 in overtime; Stewart did not play in the game.
Transactions
= WNBA draft =
{{see also|2021 WNBA draft}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! width="2%" style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" |Round ! width="5%" style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" |Pick ! width="10%" style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" |Player ! width="10%" style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" |Nationality ! width="10%" style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" |School/Team/Country |
| 1
| 11 | {{USA}} |
| 2
| 18 | {{USA}} | Stanford |
| 2
| 23 | {{USA}} |
| 3
| 35 | {{USA}} |
=Trades and roster changes=
Roster
{{sports roster
| team=Seattle Storm
| season = 2021
| style = WNBA
| players =
{{sports roster/entry | num = 10 | first = Sue | last = Bird | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 150 | DOB = 1980-10-16 | yrs = 17 | college = Connecticut | nat = USA }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 22 | first = Cierra | last = Burdick | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 172 | DOB = 1993-09-30 | yrs = 4 | college = Tennessee | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 8 | first = Kennedy | last = Burke | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 182 | DOB = 1997-02-14 | yrs = 2 | college = UCLA | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 21 | first = Jordin | last = Canada | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 6 | lbs = 135 | DOB = 1995-08-11 | yrs = 3 | college = UCLA | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 24 | first = Jewell | last = Loyd | pos= G | ft= 5 | in= 10 | lbs= 148 | DOB= 1993-10-05 | yrs= 6 | college = Notre Dame | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 13 | first = Ezi | last = Magbegor | pos= C | ft= 6 | in= 4 | lbs= 176 | DOB= 1999-08-13 | yrs = 1 | from = Australia | nat = AUS }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 11 | first = Epiphanny | last = Prince | pos= G | ft= 5 | in= 9 | lbs = 179 | DOB= 1988-01-11 | yrs= 11 | college = Rutgers | nat = RUS }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 2 | first = Mercedes | last = Russell | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 195 | DOB = 1995-07-27 | yrs = 3 | college = Tennessee | nat = USA }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 44 | first = Karlie | last = Samuelson | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 0 | lbs = 160 | DOB = 1995-05-10 | yrs = 2 | college = Stanford | nat = USA }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 33 | first = Katie Lou | last = Samuelson | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 163 | DOB = 1997-06-13 | yrs = 2 | college = Connecticut | nat = USA }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 30 | first = Breanna | last = Stewart | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 1994-08-27 | yrs = 4 | college = Connecticut | nat = USA }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 7 | first = Stephanie | last = Talbot | pos= F | ft= 6 | in= 2 | lbs= 192 | DOB= 1994-06-15 | yrs= 3 | from = Australia | nat = AUS }}
| head_coach =
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA|nat2=BUL| first = Noelle | last = Quinn|college=UCLA}}
| asst_coach =
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Gary | last = Kloppenburg| college = University of California, San Diego}}
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Ryan | last = Webb | nolink = 1| college = Seattle University}}
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Perry | last = Huang | nolink = 1| college = Fresno Pacific University}}
| ath_train =
{{sports roster/entry|nat = |first=Caroline|last=Durocher|nolink=1|college=}}
}}
Game log
=Preseason =
{{WNBA game log start|Seattle Storm|pre-season=yes|end_year=2021}}
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|May|first=yes
| home_wins = 1
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 1
| May 8
| @ Phoenix
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210508/SEAPHO/ W 88–71]
| Ezi Magbegor (17)
| Ezi Magbegor (7)
| Jordin Canada (6)
| Phoenix Suns Arena
1,985
| 1–0
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2
| May 10
| Phoenix
| [https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/1391849774588915716 W 103–93]
| K. Williams
Dupree (12)
| Stephanie Talbot (5)
| Sue Bird (7)
| 2–0
{{WNBA game log end|las|pre-season=yes|end_year=2021}}
=Regular season=
{{WNBA game log start|Seattle Storm|end_year=2021|note=
Total: 21–11 (Home: 11–5; Road: 10–6)}}
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|May|first=yes
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 1
| road_wins = 2
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 1
| May 15
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210515lvasea/ W 97–83]
| Breanna Stewart (28)
| Breanna Stewart (13)
| Sue Bird (8)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,031
| 1–0
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 2
| May 18
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210518/LVASEA/ L 80–96]
| Breanna Stewart (26)
| Ezi Magbegor (13)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,001
| 1–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 3
| May 20
| @ Minnesota
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210520/SEAMIN/ W 90–78]
| Jewell Loyd (23)
| Breanna Stewart (7)
| Sue Bird (8)
| Target Center
1,934
| 2–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 4
| May 22
| @ Dallas
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210522/SEADAL/ W 100–97 (OT)]
| Breanna Stewart (36)
| Breanna Stewart (11)
| Jewell Loyd (6)
| College Park Center
1,491
| 3–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 5
| May 25
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210525/CONSEA/ W 87–90 (OT)]
| Sue Bird (21)
| Breanna Stewart (12)
| Jewell Loyd (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,011
| 4–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 6
| May 28
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210528/MINSEA/ W 82–72]
| Breanna Stewart (15)
| Breanna Stewart (8)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,332
| 5–1
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|June
| home_wins = 2
| home_losses = 2
| road_wins = 5
| road_losses = 1
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 7
| June 1
| Indiana
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210601/INDSEA/ W 88–73]
| Breanna Stewart (28)
| Mercedes Russell (11)
| Sue Bird (8)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,215
| 6–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 8
| June 4
| Dallas
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210604/DALSEA/ W 105-102 (OT)]
| Jewell Loyd (25)
| Sue Bird (10)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,467
| 7–1
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 9
| June 6
| Dallas
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210606/DALSEA/ L 67–68]
| Jewell Loyd (25)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
1,930
| 7–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 10
| June 9
| @ Atlanta
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210609/SEAATL/ W 95–71]
| Jewell Loyd (18)
| Breanna Stewart (9)
| Sue Bird (6)
| Gateway Center Arena
1,014
| 8–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 11
| June 11
| @ Atlanta
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210611/SEAATL/ W 86–75]
| Jewell Loyd (20)
| Breanna Stewart (13)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Gateway Center Arena
1,405
| 9–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 12
| June 13
| @ Connecticut
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210613/SEACON/ W 89–66]
| Breanna Stewart (22)
| Breanna Stewart (9)
| Breanna Stewart (5)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
2,248
| 10–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 13
| June 15
| @ Indiana
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210615/SEAIND/ W 87–70]
| Breanna Stewart (20)
| Breanna Stewart (12)
| Jordin Canada (6)
| Indiana Farmers Coliseum
No Fans
| 11–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 14
| June 17
| @ Indiana
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210617/SEAIND/ W 79–69]
| Breanna Stewart (21)
| Breanna Stewart (15)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Indiana Farmers Coliseum
No Fans
| 12–2
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 15
| June 22
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210622/WASSEA/ L 83–87]
| Jewell Loyd (23)
| Jewell Loyd (9)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
2,495
| 12–3
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 16
| June 27
| @ Las Vegas
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210627/SEALVA/ L 92–95 (OT)]
| Breanna Stewart (35)
| Sue Bird (6)
| Michelob Ultra Arena
3,766
| 12–4
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|July
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 1
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 17
| July 2
| Atlanta
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210702/ATLSEA/ W 91–88]
| Sue Bird (15)
| Mercedes Russell (7)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
3,011
| 13–4
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 18
| July 4
| @ Los Angeles
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210704/SEALAS/ W 84–74]
| Breanna Stewart (21)
| Ezi Magbegor (9)
| Jordin Canada (5)
| Los Angeles Convention Center
716
| 14–4
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 19
| July 7
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210707/LASSEA/ W 71–62]
| Breanna Stewart (27)
| Breanna Stewart (11)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
2,730
| 15–4
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 20
| July 9
| @ Phoenix
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210709/SEAPHO/ L 77–85]
| Jewell Loyd (16)
| Breanna Stewart (13)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Phoenix Suns Arena
7,554
| 15–5
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 21
| July 11
| Phoenix
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210711/PHOSEA/ W 82–75]
| Epiphanny Prince (15)
| Mercedes Russell (10)
| Jewell Loyd (6)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
5,110
| 16–5
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|August
| home_wins = 0
| home_losses = 2
| road_wins = 2
| road_losses = 3
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| CC
| August 12
| vs. Connecticut
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210812/CONSEA/ W 79–57]
| Breanna Stewart (17)
| Mercedes Russell (7)
| Sue Bird (5)
| Footprint Center
5,006
| N/A
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 22
| August 15
| @ Chicago
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210815/SEACHI/ L 85–87]
| Jewell Loyd (26)
| Mercedes Russell (11)
| Mercedes Russell (7)
| Wintrust Arena
6,231
| 16–6
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 23
| August 18
| @ New York
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210818/SEANYL/ L 79–83]
| Jewell Loyd (35)
| Stephanie Talbot (5)
| Jordin Canada (6)
| Barclays Center
2,103
| 16–7
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 24
| August 20
| @ New York
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210820/SEANYL/ W 99–83]
| Jewell Loyd (29)
| Breanna Stewart (14)
| Sue Bird (6)
| Barclays Center
3,889
| 17–7
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 25
| August 22
| @ Washington
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210822/SEAWAS/ W 85–78]
| Breanna Stewart (20)
| Breanna Stewart (12)
| Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,114
| 18–7
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 26
| August 24
| @ Minnesota
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210824/SEAMIN/ L 70–76]
| Breanna Stewart (18)
| Breanna Stewart (16)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Target Center
3,634
| 18–8
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 27
| August 27
| Chicago
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210827/CHISEA/ L 69–73]
| Breanna Stewart (18)
| Breanna Stewart (8)
| Sue Bird (4)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
3,650
| 18–9
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 28
| August 29
| Chicago
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210829/CHISEA/ L 75–107]
| Breanna Stewart (19)
| Breanna Stewart (6)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
3,750
| 18–10
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|September
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 0
| road_losses = 1
}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 29
| September 2
| New York
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210902/NYLSEA/ W 85–75]
| Breanna Stewart (33)
| Breanna Stewart (8)
| Breanna Stewart (5)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
3,592
| 19–10
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 30
| September 7
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210907/WASSEA/ W 105–71]
| Jewell Loyd (20)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
2,390
| 20–10
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 31
| September 12
| @ Los Angeles
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210912/SEALAS/ L 53–81]
| Epiphanny Prince (12)
| Ezi Magbegor (6)
| Jewell Loyd (3)
| Staples Center
4,181
| 20–11
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 32
| September 17
| Phoenix
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210917/PHOSEA/ W 94–85]
| Jewell Loyd (37)
| Mercedes Russell (8)
| Sue Bird (7)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
6,000
| 21–11
{{WNBA game log end|sea|end_year=2021}}
= Playoffs =
{{WNBA game log start|Seattle Storm|playoffs=yes|end_year=2021|record=Total: 0–1}}
{{WNBA game log section|Seattle Storm|Second Round|playoffs=yes|first=yes}}
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1
| September 26
| Phoenix
| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20210926/PHOSEA/ 80–85 (OT)]
| Katie Lou Samuelson (18)
| Mercedes Russell (12)
| Angel of the Winds Arena
5,375
| 0–1
{{WNBA game log end|SEA|playoffs=yes|end_year=2021}}
Standings
{{2021 WNBA standings|team=SEA|notes=yes}}
Playoffs
{{trim|{{#section-h:2021 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}
Statistics
{{WNBA roster statistics legend}}
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="16%"| Player
! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | GP ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | GS ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | MPG ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | FG% ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | 3P% ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | FT% ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="5%" | RPG ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | APG ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | SPG ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | BPG ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="6%" | PPG |
|---|
| Breanna Stewart
| 28 | 28 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 33.4 | 43.9 | 33.3 | 84.7 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 9.5 | 2.7 | 1.2 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 1.8 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 20.3 |
| Jewell Loyd
| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 31 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 31 | 31.0 | 42.0 | 37.6 | 88.9 | 4.0 | 3.8 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 1.5 | 0.2 | 17.9 |
| Sue Bird
| 30 | 30 | 27.7 | 43.1 | 41.9 | 83.3 | 2.6 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 5.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 10.0 |
| Mercedes Russell
| 30 | 28 | 24.7 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 61.7 | 0.0 | 76.6 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 7.3 |
| Katie Lou Samuelson
| 27 | 24 | 21.0 | 45.6 | 35.1 | 73.1 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 7.0 |
| Ezi Magbegor
| 30 | 3 | 15.2 | 50.9 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 55.6 | 84.6 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 6.7 |
| Epiphanny Prince
| 29 | 2 | 14.3 | 43.9 | 50.0 | 89.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 5.8 |
| Jordin Canada
| 29 | 3 | 18.7 | 38.9 | 21.4 | 84.1 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.8 |
| Stephanie Talbot
| 30 | 9 | 17.9 | 48.3 | 41.5 | 75.0 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 5.7 |
| Karlie Samuelson
| 3 | 0 | 10.7 | 30.0 | 12.5 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 100 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| Kennedy Burke
| 23 | 0 | 7.7 | 44.6 | 33.3 | 62.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.9 |
| Cierra Burdick
| 7 | 0 | 5.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
Awards and honors
| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="text-align: center"
! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="5%" | Recipient ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="9%" | Award ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="5%" | Date awarded ! style="{{NBA color cell|Seattle Storm}}" width="1%" class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| rowspan=2 | Breanna Stewart
| Western Conference Player of the Week | May 24 |
| Western Conference Player of the Month - May
| June 2 |
| Jewell Loyd
| rowspan=3 | Western Conference Player of the Week | June 7 |
| rowspan=2 | Breanna Stewart
| June 14 |
| June 21 |
| Sue Bird
| rowspan=3 | WNBA All-Star Selection | rowspan=3 | June 30 |
| Jewell Loyd |
| Breanna Stewart |
| Breanna Stewart
| WNBA All-Defensive Second Team | September 26 |
| Jewell Loyd
| rowspan=2 | All-WNBA First Team | rowspan=2 | October 15 |
| Breanna Stewart |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://storm.wnba.com/ Official website of the Seattle Storm]
{{Seattle Storm}}
{{2021 WNBA season by team}}