The Seattle Storm paired an efficient offense with a balanced veteran lineup in 2021, led by Breanna Stewart’s all-around production and Jewell Loyd’s perimeter scoring. Sue Bird remained the team’s primary playmaker, while Tina Charles added interior scoring and rebounding, and Ezi Magbegor provided defensive support in the paint. Strong shooting, ball movement, and frontcourt depth were key strengths, although defensive consistency proved more variable.
Seattle’s offense still revolved around Stewart as the primary scoring hub, with coaches giving her freedom to attack from the perimeter or the post. Before her late-season injury she was widely discussed as an MVP frontrunner, while her rim protection and defensive versatility anchored the Storm’s identity. (WNBA)
All-WNBA First Team (2021); WNBA All-Star (2021); Commissioner’s Cup MVP (2021); Olympic Gold Medal (2021)
Jewell Loyd
Starter/Star (1.1)
31.0
High (1.2)
17.9
4.0
3.8
1.7
72.34
Loyd evolved from secondary scorer into Seattle’s featured perimeter creator, especially after Stewart’s injury. Independent coverage highlighted her improved playmaking, explosive shot creation and willingness to shoulder difficult late-clock possessions throughout the season. (WNBA)
All-WNBA First Team (2021); WNBA All-Star (2021); Olympic Gold Medal (2021)
Sue Bird
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.7
Medium (1.1)
10.0
2.6
5.3
1.0
45.74
Bird remained Seattle’s offensive organizer, dictating tempo and creating quality looks rather than hunting her own scoring. Reporting consistently emphasized her leadership, decision-making and elite three-point shooting as the backbone of the Storm’s half-court execution. (Seattle Times)
WNBA All-Star (2021); Olympic Gold Medal (2021)
Mercedes Russell
Starter/Star (1.1)
24.7
Low (1.0)
7.3
6.1
1.6
1.3
35.86
Russell embraced a low-usage interior role built around screening, rebounding and efficient finishing. Coaches leaned on her physical presence to stabilize the frontcourt after significant offseason roster turnover. (WNBA)
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Katie Lou Samuelson
Starter/Star (1.1)
21.0
Medium (1.1)
7.0
3.5
1.7
1.0
31.94
Samuelson settled into a spacing role where her movement shooting and smart off-ball cuts complemented Seattle’s stars. Coverage noted that she steadily earned trust as a versatile wing capable of defending multiple positions and fitting seamlessly into the offense. (reddit.com)
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Ezi Magbegor
Key Contributor (1.05)
15.2
Medium (1.1)
6.7
3.9
0.8
1.5
29.80
Magbegor’s minutes reflected her growing defensive value more than offensive volume. Analysts frequently pointed to her shot-blocking instincts and mobility as signs she was developing into Seattle’s long-term interior anchor.
—
Jordin Canada
Key Contributor (1.05)
18.7
Medium (1.1)
5.8
2.3
3.0
0.8
27.49
Canada primarily changed games with pace, ball pressure and transition play instead of scoring. Her ability to push the tempo and defend opposing guards gave Seattle an energetic second-unit identity.
—
Stephanie Talbot
Key Contributor (1.05)
17.9
Medium (1.1)
5.7
2.9
1.6
0.9
25.64
Talbot filled several lineup needs as a connective forward, providing defensive flexibility and reliable floor spacing. Her willingness to accept different assignments became valuable during a season with significant roster changes.
—
Epiphanny Prince
Bench (1.0)
14.3
Low (1.0)
5.8
1.6
1.7
0.9
20.00
Prince supplied veteran scoring and secondary ball-handling off the bench. Seattle relied on her experience to steady reserve units while keeping offensive possessions organized.
—
Candice Dupree
Bench (1.0)
16.3
Low (1.0)
5.9
2.5
0.7
0.6
19.40
Dupree was brought in to add veteran frontcourt depth and dependable mid-range offense. Her role was limited before being released as Seattle adjusted its roster during the season.
—
Kennedy Burke
Bench (1.0)
7.7
Low (1.0)
2.9
0.8
0.3
0.4
8.80
Burke was used in short defensive stretches, with coaches valuing her length and versatility more than offensive production. Contemporary coverage of her role was limited.
—
Karlie Samuelson
Bench (1.0)
10.7
Low (1.0)
3.0
0.3
0.7
0.0
8.00
Signed late in the year, Samuelson was primarily deployed as a perimeter shooting option. Limited contemporary reporting focused on her ability to provide spacing in reserve minutes.
—
Cierra Burdick
Bench (1.0)
5.0
Low (1.0)
0.4
1.7
0.4
0.6
6.20
Burdick filled an emergency depth role after joining during the season. Independent coverage of her brief stint was limited beyond roster-related reporting.
—
Kiana Williams
Bench (1.0)
3.5
Low (1.0)
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.1
2.20
Williams spent most of the season fighting for roster stability as a rookie guard. Contemporary reporting was largely limited to transactions and developmental expectations.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2021)
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Herbert Harrigan appeared only briefly before spending most of the year outside the regular rotation. Independent season-specific analysis was limited because of her minimal playing time.
—
Team Totals
—
248.1
—
99.1
42.2
24.5
13.7
—
Seattle finished 21-11 in the regular season before injuries and roster changes disrupted a repeat title bid.
Operating almost exclusively as a floor-spacing forward, Samuelson punished every defensive collapse with confident catch-and-shoot range. Her career playoff scoring night became one of Seattle’s few reliable offensive sparks after Breanna Stewart’s injury left the Storm searching for perimeter production. (ESPN)
—
Sue Bird
Starter/Star
37.0
Medium
16.0
3.0
5.0
1.0
60.50
Bird dictated Seattle’s half-court offense from the opening tip, balancing tempo with timely perimeter shooting while continuing to orchestrate nearly every important possession. The elimination game also carried enormous emotional weight as fans responded with “One More Year” chants after the final buzzer. (ESPN)
—
Mercedes Russell
Starter/Star
45.0
Medium
10.0
12.0
4.0
2.0
67.76
Russell embraced the physical work inside, controlling the glass, setting sturdy screens and protecting the rim while giving Seattle second-chance opportunities. Her interior presence was especially valuable with Stewart unavailable, forcing the Storm to lean more heavily on traditional post play. (ESPN)
—
Jewell Loyd
Starter/Star
36.0
High
15.0
3.0
5.0
3.0
68.90
Seattle asked Loyd to carry the offense as the primary shot creator, but Phoenix consistently crowded her driving lanes and contested difficult jumpers. Even with an inefficient shooting night, she remained the player the Storm trusted to generate offense late in possessions. (ESPN)
—
Ezi Magbegor
Starter/Star
31.0
Medium
9.0
9.0
2.0
1.0
50.82
Magbegor’s defensive mobility stood out as she rotated quickly to challenge shots while also giving Seattle valuable offensive rebounds. Her activity around the basket helped offset the absence of Stewart’s frontcourt versatility.
—
Stephanie Talbot
Key Contributor
17.0
Low
6.0
4.0
0.0
2.0
25.20
Talbot filled a utility role, switching across positions defensively and making the extra pass whenever Seattle needed lineup balance. Her willingness to defend multiple matchups kept her involved despite limited offensive opportunities.
—
Jordin Canada
Key Contributor
10.0
Low
6.0
0.0
2.0
1.0
18.90
Canada changed the game’s pace whenever she entered, applying pressure at the point of attack and drawing fouls with aggressive drives despite struggling to score from the field.
—
Epiphanny Prince
Bench
9.0
Low
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
4.00
Prince’s playoff role was limited to reserve backcourt minutes as Seattle searched for additional scoring options. Independent game coverage focused little on her individual performance because of her brief appearance.
—
Kennedy Burke
Bench
5.0
Low
0.0
3.0
0.0
0.0
6.00
Burke saw only a short defensive stint, with Seattle using her athleticism to match up on the wing. Contemporary reporting offered limited player-specific discussion because of her minimal minutes.
—
Team Totals
—
225.0
—
80.0
39.0
19.0
11.0
—
Seattle pushed Phoenix into overtime despite playing without Breanna Stewart, but the defending champions were eliminated in a tightly contested second-round playoff game.
