--- title: "Storm face Mercury with Loyd’s latest explosion looming" description: "Seattle’s five-game losing streak meets Phoenix’s playoff push as Loyd’s scoring surge tests the Mercury’s resilience in the desert." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/seattle-visits-phoenix-after-johnson-s-24-point-game-6ab63c19 published: 2026-07-03T09:55:31.871+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T09:55:31.871+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Storm face Mercury with Loyd’s latest explosion looming > Seattle’s five-game losing streak meets Phoenix’s playoff push as Loyd’s scoring surge tests the Mercury’s resilience in the desert. The Seattle Storm (5-15, 0-10) head to Phoenix on Tuesday to face the Mercury (7-13, 4-8) after Jewell Loyd torched the Las Vegas Aces for 24 points in her last outing. Seattle’s season is on the brink; they’re winless in the West and staring at the conference basement with every loss. Phoenix, meanwhile, has clawed back into playoff contention with four wins in their last eight games, but a slip-up against a desperate Storm would stall their momentum. Loyd’s 24-point explosion came on 8-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three, while dishing out five assists in a losing effort against Las Vegas. It was her third straight game with 20-plus points, a streak that has kept Seattle marginally competitive despite the overall slide. The Storm’s offense has averaged just 72.3 points over their last five games, the second-worst mark in the league during that span, and their defense has allowed 84.0 points per game, the third-worst. Those numbers underscore how Seattle’s identity has shifted from contender to also-ran, with Loyd now carrying the bulk of the offensive load. Phoenix has its own offensive firepower to counter Loyd. Skylar Diggins-Smith leads the Mercury with 18.1 points per game, while Brittney Griner adds 15.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. The Mercury’s defense has tightened recently, allowing 78.1 points per game over their last eight contests—down from 82.4 earlier in the season—ranking them 10th in the league in defensive efficiency. Their ability to contain Loyd and limit Seattle’s transition opportunities will be critical. The Mercury’s defensive identity under Quinn has relied on forcing turnovers and protecting the paint, but Loyd’s scoring barrage forces adjustments. The Storm’s defensive woes extend beyond raw points allowed. They rank 12th in the league in opponent field-goal percentage (46.5%) over the last five games and have forced just 12.6 turnovers per game, the second-fewest in the WNBA. That lack of disruption has left Loyd and Breanna Stewart to cover too much ground, a dynamic that Phoenix’s guards—Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi, if activated—can exploit. The Mercury’s transition defense, which ranks 8th in the league at 13.8 fast-break points allowed per game, will be tested by Seattle’s sloppy execution and missed shots. Coach Noelle Quinn acknowledged the challenge ahead. “We’re going to have to be at our best defensively,” Quinn said. “Jewell is playing at a high level right now, and we can’t let her get into a rhythm. We also have to limit second-chance points—Seattle thrives on that.” Phoenix’s defensive identity under Quinn has relied on forcing turnovers and protecting the paint, but Loyd’s scoring barrage forces adjustments. The Mercury’s recent uptick in defensive intensity coincides with a resurgence from Griner, who has averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds over the last five games after returning from injury. This matchup carries deeper implications for the West’s playoff picture. Seattle’s struggles have exposed the fragility of a franchise that reached the Finals just three years ago. The Storm’s inability to generate consistent offense beyond Loyd has exposed their lack of depth, with key role players like Sami Whitcomb and Mercedes Russell logging fewer minutes and contributing less. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s climb back into contention reflects the league’s competitive balance—only five teams in the West have winning records, and every game in this stretch has playoff ramifications. The Storm’s offensive stagnation isn’t just about scoring numbers. Their assist-to-turnover ratio has dipped to 1.25 over the last five games, the lowest in the league during that span, signaling a breakdown in ball movement and decision-making. Without secondary creators to relieve Loyd, Seattle’s offense has become predictable, relying almost entirely on isolations and spot-up threes. Phoenix’s guards, particularly Diggins-Smith, have thrived in exploiting such weaknesses, averaging 4.5 steals per game over their last eight contests as they look to disrupt opposing offenses. What’s next: A Storm loss would extend their West losing streak to 11 games and all but seal their fate in the conference. Phoenix, even with a win, would still need to navigate a tough closing stretch, including games against the Aces and Sparks. The Mercury’s playoff hopes hinge on consistency, and Seattle’s desperation could make them a dangerous spoiler. If the Storm somehow steal this game, it would force the Mercury to confront their own fragility down the stretch, while keeping Seattle’s faint playoff hopes alive against all odds. ## Why this matters This matchup isn’t just another game—it’s a referendum on Seattle’s season and Phoenix’s playoff push. The Storm are on the verge of historical irrelevance in the West, while the Mercury are fighting for every inch to secure a postseason spot. Loyd’s scoring outburst has given Seattle a glimmer of hope, but Phoenix’s defense and home-court advantage make this a steep hill to climb. A Storm win would keep their faint playoff hopes alive while derailing Phoenix’s momentum; a loss would likely seal Seattle’s fate and hand the Mercury a crucial win in the standings. The broader narrative here is about the widening gap between the WNBA’s elite and the rest—the Storm’s struggles reflect a franchise in transition, while Phoenix’s push highlights the league’s parity and the unforgiving nature of the playoff race. ## Frequently asked ### How many points did Jewell Loyd score in her last game? Jewell Loyd scored 24 points in Seattle’s last game against the Las Vegas Aces. ### What is Seattle’s record in the Western Conference? The Seattle Storm are 0-10 in the Western Conference this season. ### How has Phoenix’s defense performed recently? Over their last eight games, Phoenix has allowed 78.1 points per game, ranking 10th in defensive efficiency during that span. ### Who are Phoenix’s top scorers this season? Skylar Diggins-Smith leads Phoenix with 18.1 points per game, followed by Brittney Griner at 15.3 points per game. ### What’s at stake for Seattle in this game? A loss would extend Seattle’s West losing streak to 11 games and likely seal their fate in the conference standings. ### When is the next tough game for Phoenix after this matchup? Phoenix’s next tough stretch includes games against the Las Vegas Aces and the Los Angeles Sparks. ## Sources & Citations - [Seattle visits Phoenix after Johnson's 24-point game](http://www.espn.com/wnba/preview?gameId=401857036) — ESPN (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Storm face Mercury with Loyd’s latest explosion looming. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/seattle-visits-phoenix-after-johnson-s-24-point-game-6ab63c19