The Seattle Storm struggled to replace their established core in 2013, relying on Camille Little as the primary scorer while Tina Thompson provided veteran frontcourt production and Crystal Langhorne controlled the glass. Temeka Johnson handled the bulk of the playmaking, but inconsistent shooting and limited offensive firepower hindered the attack. Rebounding remained a relative strength, though defensive shortcomings contributed to a difficult season.
Thompson became Seattle’s primary scoring option after season-ending injuries to Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. Veteran leadership matched her production, and late in the year she delivered several signature performances that kept the Storm in the playoff race, including a 22-point finale that sealed a postseason berth. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2013)
Tanisha Wright
Starter/Star [1.1]
30.9
High [1.2]
11.9
3.7
4.1
1.3
55.7
Wright shifted from defensive specialist to all-around backcourt leader, regularly initiating the offense while still guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer. Local coverage credited her competitiveness as a major reason Seattle exceeded expectations despite missing its franchise stars. (heraldnet.com)
WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2013)
Camille Smith
Starter/Star [1.1]
30.3
Medium [1.1]
10.9
4.7
1.4
1.5
44.1
Smith handled much of the interior workload, supplying physical defense, efficient finishing and dependable rebounding. She quietly became one of Seattle’s most consistent frontcourt pieces while the roster adapted to major injuries. (heraldnet.com)
None
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star [1.1]
27.4
Medium [1.1]
10.2
2.6
4.0
1.0
42.1
Johnson stabilized the point guard position with smart pace control and timely scoring. Associated Press coverage highlighted her ability to take over stretches offensively, including an 18-point effort against Los Angeles that fueled a critical late-season victory. (WNBA)
None
Shekinna Stricklen
Key Contributor [1.05]
23.4
Medium [1.1]
10.0
2.8
0.8
1.1
33.1
Stricklen’s confidence grew during her second season as she embraced a larger perimeter scoring role. Her willingness to fire from deep and defend multiple wing positions made her one of Seattle’s most important young contributors.
None
Noelle Quinn
Key Contributor [1.05]
25.6
Low [1.0]
5.4
4.9
1.6
1.0
27.1
Quinn filled several roles depending on lineup needs, often defending bigger wings while contributing on the glass. Independent reporting regularly praised her versatility more than her box-score production.
None
Alysha Clark
Bench [1.0]
15.3
Low [1.0]
4.0
2.5
0.4
0.6
15.0
Clark carved out minutes through hustle, physical defense and efficient spot-up shooting rather than high-volume scoring. Coaches increasingly trusted her energy in second-unit lineups.
None
Tianna Hawkins
Bench [1.0]
9.7
Low [1.0]
3.4
1.6
0.2
0.4
11.2
Hawkins showed flashes as an athletic rookie forward, providing rebounding and interior activity in limited minutes. Contemporary independent coverage of her season-specific role remained fairly limited.
None
Nakia Sanford
Bench [1.0]
10.2
Low [1.0]
1.7
2.0
0.5
0.4
9.2
Sanford was used as experienced frontcourt depth, supplying physical play and rebounding whenever called upon. Independent reporting on her individual season was limited beyond rotation references.
None
Ashley Robinson
Bench [1.0]
9.5
Low [1.0]
1.5
1.4
0.3
0.4
7.2
Robinson’s value came almost entirely on the defensive end, where she added size and rim protection in short stretches. Contemporary journalism discussing her individual role was limited.
None
Cierra Bravard
Bench [1.0]
4.5
Low [1.0]
0.5
0.8
0.0
0.4
3.4
Bravard spent most of the year as developmental frontcourt depth. Independent season-specific coverage was limited beyond roster updates and brief game appearances.
None
Jasmine Hassell
Bench [1.0]
2.3
Low [1.0]
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.0
1.6
Hassell appeared only briefly during the season, with little independent reporting available beyond transaction and roster coverage.
None
Joslyn Tinkle
Bench [1.0]
1.8
Low [1.0]
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
1.0
Tinkle’s opportunities were limited to brief reserve appearances, and contemporary independent coverage of her contributions was minimal.
None
TEAM TOTALS
—
—
—
86.6
32.5
20.4
9.8
—
Despite losing Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson for the season, Seattle finished 17–17 and reached the playoffs. The Storm earned widespread praise for exceeding expectations behind veteran leadership, defensive discipline and a resilient team identity.
Wright took on the toughest perimeter assignments while also carrying much of Seattle’s offensive creation. Associated Press playoff coverage praised her aggressive scoring in Game 2 as the Storm tried to extend the series against Minnesota despite an undermanned roster.
None
Tina Thompson
Starter/Star [1.1]
32.5
High [1.2]
11.5
8.5
0.0
1.0
55.4
Thompson embraced the responsibility of being Seattle’s veteran focal point, attacking the glass and creating offense from the elbows and low post. Reporters frequently noted that her experience kept the Storm competitive even after Minnesota consistently loaded its defense toward her.
None
Camille Smith
Starter/Star [1.1]
34.0
Medium [1.1]
12.5
3.5
1.0
2.5
47.9
Smith played with noticeable energy on both ends, battling Minnesota’s frontcourt while providing secondary scoring. Her activity around the basket and willingness to defend multiple interior matchups became one of Seattle’s few consistent advantages during stretches of the series.
None
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star [1.1]
23.5
Medium [1.1]
8.0
0.5
3.0
1.5
31.2
Johnson’s role centered on organizing the offense and applying backcourt pressure. Although Minnesota limited her scoring opportunities, she continued pushing the pace whenever transition chances appeared and helped keep Seattle’s offense composed.
None
Alysha Clark
Bench [1.0]
18.5
Low [1.0]
7.0
5.0
0.5
0.0
25.0
Clark supplied valuable minutes through hustle plays, rebounding and physical wing defense. Even in a reserve role, she consistently earned praise for doing the little things that kept possessions alive against a deeper Minnesota rotation.
None
Shekinna Stricklen
Starter/Star [1.1]
17.5
Medium [1.1]
2.5
2.5
2.5
1.5
21.8
Stricklen struggled to find her shooting rhythm, but Seattle continued trusting her length and defensive versatility. Coaches left her on the floor because of her willingness to defend multiple perimeter positions despite the difficult offensive series.
None
Noelle Quinn
Key Contributor [1.05]
26.5
Low [1.0]
3.5
3.5
1.5
0.5
18.9
Quinn filled a utility role, switching between wing and forward assignments while helping on the defensive glass. Independent playoff coverage highlighted her versatility more than her scoring production during the series.
None
Tianna Hawkins
Bench [1.0]
6.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
4.0
Hawkins saw only brief reserve action as Seattle searched for additional frontcourt energy. Contemporary independent playoff coverage discussing her individual role was limited.
None
Ashley Robinson
Bench [1.0]
8.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
1.0
0.0
0.5
3.0
Robinson was deployed strictly as a defensive specialist, providing size around the rim in short stretches. Independent reporting on her postseason contribution was limited beyond rotation mentions.
None
Joslyn Tinkle
Bench [1.0]
2.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tinkle appeared only briefly, leaving little opportunity to influence the series. Contemporary independent coverage of her postseason minutes was minimal.
None
TEAM TOTALS
—
—
—
59.5
28.5
14.0
9.5
—
Seattle’s injury-depleted roster battled defending Western Conference champion Minnesota but was swept in two competitive games. Veteran leadership from Tina Thompson and Tanisha Wright kept the Storm organized, though the Lynx’s depth and size ultimately proved decisive.
