Courtney Williams Powers Lynx to Narrow Victory Over Storm

Courtney Williams showcased her scoring prowess, netting 14 of her total 20 points during a pivotal second half, leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 91-87 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night. Jessica Shepard contributed significantly with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Kayla McBride sealed the game by sinking all six of her free-throw attempts in the final 30 seconds.

Making her debut for the Lynx, DiJonai Carrington, acquired from Dallas just days prior in a trade involving Diamond Miller and Karlie Samuelson, added 13 points to the Lynx's efforts. McBride finished the game with 14 points, and Bridget Carleton chipped in with 12 points, including four crucial three-pointers in the second half.

On the opposing side, Nneka Ogwumike led the Storm with an impressive 23 points, marking a significant milestone as she surpassed both Lauren Jackson and DeWanna Bonner to rank seventh in WNBA history for career games scoring at least 20 points.

Erica Wheeler also made her mark for Seattle, contributing 19 points, while Dominique Malonga and Skylar Diggins added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Gabby Williams not only scored nine points but also set a new single-season steals record for Seattle with 77 steals, breaking Natasha Howard's previous record of 74 from 2019.

The Lynx improved their record to 25-5, having won seven of their last eight games. However, they played without star player Napheesa Collier, who is sidelined due to a right ankle injury sustained during a recent game against Las Vegas.

In a concerning moment for Seattle, Tiffany Mitchell left the game early in the fourth quarter after falling awkwardly during a blocked layup attempt by Carrington and did not return. The Storm's recent struggles continued as they faced their third consecutive loss and fourth in five games.

Earlier on Tuesday, Seattle made headlines by trading Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for All-Star Brittney Sykes, known for her defensive skills and currently averaging 15.4 points per game this season.

Looking ahead, the Lynx will host the Mystics on Friday, while the Storm will travel to Las Vegas to face the Aces.