Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Seattle Storm combined veteran leadership with defensive versatility in 2024, as Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike led the scoring while Skylar Diggins-Smith directed the offense and provided steady playmaking. Ezi Magbegor anchored the paint with strong rebounding and rim protection, and Gabby Williams added all-around production. Balanced scoring, interior defense, and rebounding were key strengths, although inconsistent perimeter shooting limited the offense at times.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Jewell Loyd Starter/Star 33.7 High 19.7 4.5 3.6 1.6 77.62 Seattle still leaned on Loyd as its primary shot creator, even through an inconsistent shooting year. Defenses continued to shade extra help toward her, and independent coverage noted that her ability to generate offense late in possessions remained central despite reduced efficiency from three-point range. (swishappeal.com) All-Star (2024)
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star 31.8 High 16.7 7.6 2.3 2.4 76.03 Ogwumike became the stabilizing force in Seattle’s frontcourt, giving the club efficient scoring, veteran leadership and defensive versatility. Analysts consistently highlighted how seamlessly she fit alongside the Storm’s core while elevating the team’s ball movement and culture. (swishappeal.com) All-Star (2024)
Skylar Diggins Starter/Star 31.6 High 15.1 2.6 6.4 2.6 70.22 Running the offense, Diggins returned as Seattle’s primary facilitator and point-of-attack defender. Coverage throughout the season praised her control of tempo and willingness to organize teammates, even when she publicly challenged the group’s consistency. (swishappeal.com) All-WNBA Second Team (2024), All-Star (2024)
Ezi Magbegor Starter/Star 30.7 Medium 11.7 8.0 2.0 3.3 60.02 Magbegor remained one of the league’s premier defensive anchors. Her mobility protecting the rim while comfortably switching into space gave Seattle unusual flexibility, with observers frequently describing her as the foundation of the Storm’s defensive identity. (swishappeal.com) All-Defensive First Team (2024)
Gabby Williams Key Contributor 29.3 Medium 10.3 4.0 3.7 2.0 46.20 Williams stepped back into Seattle’s rotation as a connector rather than a volume scorer. Her defensive instincts, transition play and ability to keep the offense moving were repeatedly cited as qualities that balanced the team’s star-heavy lineup. All-Defensive First Team (2024)
Jordan Horston Key Contributor 22.3 Medium 6.8 4.3 1.8 2.0 34.42 Horston supplied athleticism off the wing, defending multiple positions while attacking the glass. Coaches increasingly trusted her energy and versatility in lineups that needed extra length without sacrificing pace. None
Sami Whitcomb Key Contributor 15.3 Low 5.0 1.9 1.6 1.0 19.85 Whitcomb filled a specialist role as an experienced floor spacer whose movement without the ball helped stretch defenses. Her minutes often reflected specific lineup needs more than box-score production. None
Mercedes Russell Key Contributor 15.8 Low 3.9 3.0 0.8 0.8 17.85 Russell gave Seattle dependable interior depth through physical screens, rebounding and positional defense. Independent coverage focused on her reliability whenever the Storm needed a traditional backup center. None
Victoria Vivians Key Contributor 12.7 Low 3.1 2.0 0.8 0.6 13.23 Vivians worked mainly as reserve wing depth, providing perimeter spacing when called upon. Contemporary reporting on her season was limited, with most discussion centering on roster depth rather than a featured role. None
Joyner Holmes Bench 8.6 Low 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.4 12.00 Holmes supplied energetic frontcourt minutes in a limited reserve role. Independent season coverage was sparse, though she earned praise for bringing activity and defensive effort whenever injuries opened opportunities. None
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu Bench 5.1 Low 0.9 1.3 0.1 0.0 4.60 Fankam Mendjiadeu appeared only briefly, leaving little independent season reporting. Her role centered on developmental frontcourt depth and providing physical minutes when available. None
Kiana Williams Bench 3.5 Low 0.8 0.2 0.4 0.0 2.80 Williams saw only limited action after making the roster, and contemporary independent coverage of her season was minimal. Her appearances largely came as emergency backcourt depth. None
Nika Mühl Bench 3.6 Low 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.1 2.40 Mühl spent most of the year developing behind veteran guards. Independent reporting emphasized her passing instincts and defensive competitiveness despite limited opportunities to establish a regular rotation role. None
Seattle Storm Totals — 243.0 — 96.7 44.3 25.9 16.8 — Combined regular-season totals for all listed players. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star 37.0 High 14.5 10.0 2.0 3.5 79.20 Seattle leaned on Ogwumike as its emotional leader and most dependable two-way frontcourt presence during the series. Even while her shot deserted her at times, she continued to control the glass and defend multiple actions, reflecting the leadership role repeatedly highlighted by independent playoff coverage. All-WNBA Second Team (2024), All-Star (2024)
Skylar Diggins Starter/Star 36.0 High 14.5 2.0 9.0 3.5 76.03 Diggins orchestrated nearly every half-court possession, pushing pace when possible and creating quality looks despite Las Vegas loading up on Seattle’s stars. Her playmaking and competitive edge remained obvious throughout a difficult first-round exit. All-WNBA Second Team (2024), All-Star (2024)
Gabby Williams Starter/Star 37.0 Medium 17.0 6.5 2.5 1.0 65.34 Williams emerged as Seattle’s most aggressive perimeter attacker in the series, repeatedly cutting behind the defense and bringing energy on both ends. Independent postseason analysis pointed to her activity as one of the few consistent bright spots against the Aces. All-Defensive First Team (2024)
Ezi Magbegor Starter/Star 28.0 Medium 14.0 7.0 2.0 0.0 55.66 Returning from concussion protocol, Magbegor immediately restored Seattle’s interior presence. Her screening, finishing and defensive mobility were badly missed in Game 1, and her return noticeably balanced the Storm’s frontcourt rotation. All-Defensive First Team (2024)
Jewell Loyd Starter/Star 29.5 High 7.5 3.5 2.0 0.5 35.38 Las Vegas devoted considerable defensive attention to Loyd, forcing difficult jumpers and limiting her usual scoring rhythm. Even with the shooting struggles, Seattle continued to trust her as its primary late-clock creator throughout the series. All-Star (2024)
Jordan Horston Key Contributor 17.5 Low 6.0 2.5 0.0 2.5 23.10 Horston supplied valuable defensive energy off the bench, attacking loose balls and bringing physicality whenever Seattle needed a change of pace. Her willingness to defend bigger assignments earned meaningful playoff minutes. None
Mercedes Russell Key Contributor 23.0 Low 5.0 7.0 0.0 0.5 26.25 Russell carved out an important reserve role by battling on the offensive glass and absorbing physical interior matchups. Her rebounding helped Seattle stay competitive despite facing one of the league’s strongest frontcourts. None
Victoria Vivians Bench 7.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Vivians appeared only briefly, leaving little opportunity to influence the series. Independent playoff coverage rarely mentioned her role because Seattle relied on a shortened rotation. None
Joyner Holmes Bench 2.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Holmes saw only limited late-game action, with Seattle shortening its frontcourt rotation in a win-or-go-home playoff environment. Contemporary independent reporting on her postseason role was minimal. None
Sami Whitcomb Bench 2.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Whitcomb’s minutes were limited as Seattle prioritized defensive versatility and shorter rotations. Independent postseason coverage reflected her reduced role rather than her regular-season shooting value. None
Seattle Storm Totals — 228.0 — 79.0 38.5 18.0 11.5 — Combined playoff totals for all listed players. —