On May 17, 2025, the Storm vs Mercury matchup in Phoenix’s Footprint Center delivered a stunning start to the 2025 WNBA season, with the Mercury dominating the Seattle Storm 81-59 in their home opener. Led by Satou Sabally’s explosive 27-point debut, the Phoenix showcased their revamped roster’s potential.
This article recaps the Storm vs Mercury clash, analyzes key performances, and explores its implications, offering fans a deep dive into a defining early-season game.
Background: New Eras for Both Teams
The Storm vs Mercury game marked a fresh chapter for both franchises. Seattle, coming off a 19-21 2024 season and a first-round playoff exit, traded Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, reshaping their roster around Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, and No. 2 draft pick Dominique Malonga, per ESPN.
Despite losing Jordan Horston, Nika Mühl, and Katie Lou Samuelson to ACL injuries, the Storm’s defensive potential, led by Gabby Williams, raised hopes, per CBSSports.com.
After Brittney Griner moved to Atlanta and Diana Taurasi retired, Phoenix, on the other hand, saw a significant makeover. According to ESPN, general manager Nick U’Ren arranged a four-team trade to acquire Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, who, together with Kahleah Copper, make up a strong trio.
Phoenix’s fresh stars were put to the test against Seattle’s veteran-led reconstruction in the Storm vs. Mercury match, which was broadcast on the WNBA App at 10:00 p.m. ET. According to SI.com, the Mercury were favored by 5.5 points.
Game Recap: Sabally and Thomas Shine
The Storm vs Mercury opener was a one-sided affair, with Phoenix never trailing. Sabally, in her Mercury debut, erupted for 27 points, six rebounds, and three triples, shooting 10-of-15, per @WNBA. Alyssa Thomas added 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Skylar Diggins-Smith led Seattle with 17 points but couldn’t spark a comeback, per @WNBAStormChaser. The Mercury’s 41-30 halftime lead, fueled by Sabally’s 17 first-half points, set the tone, per @WNBA.
According to @WNBAStormChaser, Seattle’s offensive performance was poor, as they only made 1 of 13 three-pointers and 35% from the field. According to @ChristanWNBA, Yueru Li scored five points off the bench, and Ogwumike’s 12 points and Malonga’s two points in her debut were insufficient to match Phoenix’s depth. According to @PhoenixMercury, Phoenix outscored Seattle 38-29 and caused 14 turnovers, which contributed to the Storm vs. Mercury final score of 81-59.
Tactical Insights and Key Moments
Phoenix’s Storm vs Mercury strategy leveraged their new big three. Coach Nate Tibbetts’ fast-paced system allowed Sabally to exploit mismatches, while Thomas’s playmaking (5.2 assists per game in 2024) facilitated open looks, per ESPN.
The Mercury’s 14-of-28 three-point shooting contrasted sharply with Seattle’s perimeter woes, per @WNBA. A key moment came in the third quarter when Sabally’s back-to-back triples extended the lead to 60-46, effectively sealing the game, per @WNBAStormChaser.
According to CBSSports.com, Seattle’s defense, which was predicted to be the best in the league, struggled without Loyd’s scoring (20.1 points per game in 2024). According to @WNBAStormChaser, Diggins-Smith’s 13 points in the first half kept the Storm competitive early on, but their 1-of-13 three-point shooting in the third quarter ended their chances.
With just one bench player having more than five WNBA seasons, Phoenix’s depth issues were brought to light in the Storm vs. Mercury game, but their stars were the ones who handled the weight, according to ESPN.
Why Storm vs Mercury Matters
The Storm vs Mercury opener signals Phoenix’s contender status, with Sabally and Thomas proving their blockbuster trade was worth it, per @eliavgabay. For Seattle, the loss exposes offensive struggles without Loyd, though Malonga’s dunk in warmups hinted at future promise, per @WNBA.
The game, part of a star-studded opening weekend with Aces vs. Liberty and Sky vs. Fever, underscores the WNBA’s growing hype, per @WNBA. As both teams eye playoff berths, this Storm vs Mercury result sets the tone for their 2025 journeys.
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