Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Seattle Storm leaned on Jewell Loyd as their primary offensive weapon during the 2023 season, while Ezi Magbegor anchored the interior with efficient scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Rookie Jordan Horston emerged as a versatile all-around contributor, and Ivana Dojkić handled much of the playmaking. Despite solid rebounding and defensive activity, inconsistent shooting and limited offensive depth contributed to a difficult season.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewell Loyd | Starter/Star | 35.4 | High | 24.7 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 90.82 | Seattle’s offense revolved around Loyd creating difficult shots late in possessions and carrying the primary scoring burden. Opposing defenses routinely loaded extra attention toward her, yet she remained the team’s offensive focal point while balancing heavy perimeter volume and foul drawing throughout the season. (swishappeal.com) | All-WNBA Second Team (2023), All-Star (2023) |
| Ezi Magbegor | Starter/Star | 32.6 | Medium | 13.8 | 8.1 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 66.79 | Magbegor anchored Seattle’s interior defense while expanding her offensive responsibilities as a finisher and short-roll passer. Coaches and analysts consistently highlighted her rim protection, mobility in pick-and-roll coverage and growing two-way influence beyond traditional center duties. (Seattle Storm) | All-Star (2023), All-Defensive Second Team (2023) |
| Gabby Williams | Key Contributor | 28.5 | Medium | 8.4 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 41.35 | Returning late in the year, Williams immediately gave Seattle another connective playmaker. Her defensive versatility, transition play and willingness to guard multiple positions stood out more than raw scoring, helping stabilize lineups on both ends. (swishappeal.com) | None |
| Sami Whitcomb | Key Contributor | 24.5 | Medium | 9.7 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 38.61 | Whitcomb filled several roles depending on lineup needs, spacing the floor and providing experienced secondary ball handling. Her movement shooting frequently opened driving lanes even when she wasn’t the primary scoring option. (Seattle Storm) | None |
| Jordan Horston | Key Contributor | 22.4 | Medium | 6.9 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 35.56 | Horston brought athletic energy as a versatile wing, with Seattle trusting her to defend across positions while attacking the glass. Coaches praised the way the game slowed down for her compared with her rookie campaign. (Seattle Storm) | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2023) |
| Ivana Dojkić | Key Contributor | 20.0 | Medium | 6.5 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 27.72 | Dojkić operated as a steady secondary guard who helped organize the offense and stretch defenses. Her value came more from decision-making and spacing than high-volume scoring opportunities. (Wikipedia) | None |
| Mercedes Russell | Key Contributor | 19.1 | Low | 5.0 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 23.56 | Russell provided physical interior minutes, screening, rebounding and positional defense. Her role emphasized efficiency around the basket while giving Seattle dependable size whenever the frontcourt rotation shifted. | None |
| Kia Nurse | Key Contributor | 19.7 | Low | 5.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 22.44 | Nurse primarily served as a floor-spacing perimeter option, often taking difficult defensive assignments on the wing. Her shooting gravity remained valuable even during stretches when the shots were inconsistent. | None |
| Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu | Key Contributor | 13.8 | Low | 3.9 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 20.79 | Fankam Mendjiadeu supplied rebounding, physicality and efficient finishing in limited offensive touches. Her minutes generally reflected matchup needs rather than a featured offensive role. | None |
| Joyner Holmes | Bench | 10.2 | Low | 3.2 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 14.00 | Holmes filled reserve frontcourt minutes with active rebounding and energy. Contemporary coverage was limited, but independent reporting generally focused on her depth role and willingness to defend multiple frontcourt assignments. | None |
| Jade Melbourne | Bench | 10.6 | Low | 2.6 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 10.80 | Melbourne was eased into the rotation as a young guard, with the coaching staff valuing her pace and playmaking instincts while allowing her to develop behind veteran ball handlers. | None |
| Yvonne Turner | Bench | 9.2 | Low | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 10.00 | Turner offered experienced guard depth and steady decision-making in limited minutes. Independent coverage of her season was sparse, with most discussion centering on her veteran stabilizing presence. | None |
| Kaila Charles | Bench | 10.3 | Low | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 6.80 | Charles appeared only briefly and contemporary independent reporting was limited. Her opportunities largely came as emergency wing depth, emphasizing defense and hustle over offensive creation. | None |
| Arella Guirantes | Bench | 5.2 | Low | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 5.60 | Guirantes saw only a small sample of minutes, making detailed season-specific independent coverage scarce. Her role was limited to reserve backcourt depth when called upon. | None |
| Seattle Storm Totals | — | 261.5 | — | 94.4 | 46.2 | 23.3 | 16.0 | — | Combined regular-season totals for all listed players. | — |