The Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream made historical past Friday, taking part in the WNBA’s first regular-season sport in Canada. The sport, which passed off at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, was a becoming appetizer before the arrival of the Toronto Tempo subsequent season.
The two groups put on a present for the Canadian viewers, with the Storm holding on to beat the Dream 80-78. The win was not solely a victory for Pacific Northwest dominance, but in addition ended a six-game losing streak for Seattle — whereas additionally snapping a six-game profitable streak for Atlanta.
Advertisement
A packed crowd confirmed out to observe the impartial web site sport, setting the tone for an thrilling, bodily matchup.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]
After taking a small lead at halftime, the Storm began to tug away with a powerful run in the third quarter. But then Atlanta stormed again, overcoming a 12-point deficit to take a lead with lower than 5 minutes remaining.
The two groups saved it shut. With three minutes left, a foul gave Rhyne Howard three free throws, which she nailed to present the Dream a five-point lead. Another trio of free throws from Skylar Diggins pulled Seattle again inside one basket.
Advertisement
The Storm retook the lead with a minute remaining, and ultimately held a two-point lead with simply seconds left. Atlanta had yet one more probability to ship the sport to additional time, however Howard’s shot went off the backboard after some sturdy protection from Seattle.
Though slender, it marked a vital win for a Storm crew that has been on a significant slide currently. Before Friday, Seattle had misplaced eight of its previous 10 video games; 5 of these losses have been by 4 factors or much less. (One of the losses was a 24-point defeat to the struggling Dallas Wings.)
Diggins, who has had a few sluggish video games currently, ended the sport with a 21-point double-double with 21 factors and 11 assists in the win. Diggins additionally had a killer buzzer-beater to finish the third quarter.
Four different Storm gamers ended in double-digits in factors, together with rookie middle Dominique Malonga, who continues to have spectacular effectivity off the bench with 12 factors and eight rebounds in 18 minutes of play.
Advertisement
Howard wound up with a team-high 21 factors, whereas Brionna Jones ended with an 18-point double-double, with 10 rebounds.
It’s a disappointing ending for Atlanta, who have been on a stellar streak heading into Friday. The third-place Dream have appeared dominant for the previous few months, holding a 21-12 report and placing up main victories.
Friday marks the top of the season sequence for the Storm and Dream. Though Atlanta schooled the Storm with an 85-75 win in Seattle on Wednesday, on Friday the Storm received the final snigger to even the sequence at 2-2.
WNBA pronounces plans to tip off Toronto Tempo in Vancouver
As the WNBA welcomes its first worldwide franchise subsequent season, the league is trying to hold its Canadian fan base rising.
Advertisement
During Friday’s sport in Rogers Arena, the WNBA introduced that the Tempo might be taking part in two video games in Vancouver because the crew ideas off its inaugural season in 2026.
Toronto will be a part of the league alongside the recently-named Portland Fire, bringing the WNBA to a complete of 15 groups. Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia will join by the end of the decade.