Storm squander another fourth-quarter lead in loss to Mystics

Percy Allen, The Seattle Times on Jul 13, 2025

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SEATTLE — For the second time in three games, the Storm ran out of steam in the fourth quarter and as a result they squandered a 10-point lead and lost 74-69 Sunday afternoon to the Washington Mystics.

Down 70-69 with 40.7 seconds left and needing a defensive stop, Seattle was outscored 5-0, including Mystics guard Brittney Sykes’ layup over two defenders.

On the ensuing possession, guard Skylar Diggins stepped out of bounds with 17 seconds remaining and Sykes canned a couple of free throws to secure the Mystics’ win in front of 11,126 in attendance at Climate Pledge Arena.

Ezi Magbegor tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Nneka Ogwumike had 16 points and six rebounds. Tiffany Mitchell had 12 points of the bench and Diggins added 10 for the Storm (13-9).

For the second straight game, the Storm started slowly and fell behind 16-10 in the first quarter, which matched their offensive output two days earlier during a 79-65 win against the Connecticut Sun.

On Friday, the Storm converted 4 of 17 shots in the opening period and this time they made 3 of 18 field goals (16.7%) before pulling ahead 26-22 in the second quarter.

Seattle trailed 31-28 at halftime and took control in the third quarter while outscoring Washington 27-16 to go on top 55-47.

Early in the fourth, Magbegor drove for a layup and a 57-47 lead before the Mystics regained momentum and finished with a 27-12 run.

Sykes had 19 points, Sonia Citron 17 and Kiki Iriafen 10 for the Mystics (11-10).

The Storm host Golden State (10-9) on Wednesday before heading to the All-Star break.

Note:

— Diggins moved pass Candace Parker into ninth all-time on the WNBA assists list with 1,635. New York’s Natasha Cloud (1,638) is eighth and former great Becky Hammon (1,708) is seventh.

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