Return of Magbegor and Bird not enough as Storm fall to Sun 93-86

The Seattle Storm saw the return of Sue Bird and Ezi Magbegor back to the lineup after missing multiple games dues to covid restrictions. The pair gave the Storm some much-needed energy and scoring. Magbegor led the Storm with 19 points but in the end, a solid Connecticut team prevailed 93-86. The Sun came into Sunday’s contest at Climate Pledge as the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Magbegor scored the Storm’s first eight points and Bird chipped in a three-pointer to give the Storm an early 4-11 lead.

The energy from  Magbegor and Bird was a difference-maker on the offensive end as the  Storm shot red hot 66.7 from the field and behind the three-point arc. The Storm defense was more than adequate as it held the Sun starters to just seven points.  Magbegor finished the quarter with a team-high ten points.

CONNECTICUT’S BIG SECOND QUARTER

The Sun came back to make a game of it in the second quarter. Outscoring the Storm 22 to 17. The Storm’s second-quarter woes were self-inflicted due to careless ball handling. The Sun came into the game with the second-best offense in the league and the fifth-best defense making for a well-balanced team that is very capable of pouncing on any free opportunities.  Despite the numerous transgressions, the Storm went into the halftime break clinging to a one-point lead 43-42.

 A STRONG THIRD QUARTER

The halftime break brought the  Storm to their senses and the team played an aggressive but smart third quarter. The Storm jumped out to a 53- to 44 lead and looked like it was well on its way to victory. As previously mentioned, the  Sun are a solid and well-balanced team. The  Sun was able to weather the Storm and finished the quarter behind by just six at 67-61. Despite the deficit, Connecticut was confident heading into the fourth quarter.

  CHASING THE FOURTH QUARTER

An 8-0 run to the start of the fourth quarter saw the  Sun take an early 69-67 fourth-quarter lead. Storm head coach Noelle Quinn went for broke and inserted  Bird, Breanna Stewart, Ezi Magbegor with Jewell Loyd, and Stephanie Talbot. The Sun expanded its lead with a combination of inside-outside basketball that featured  Jonquel Jones on the inside and  DeWanna Bonner on  the perimeter.  The pair finished with 21pts to lead the Sun.