Can the slumping Storm rediscover the magic that gave them a 99-88 win over New York in June? The Liberty have been winning by the skin of their teeth — three consecutive one-possession victories — and now face a Seattle side desperate to break a five-game losing streak. This is a chance for New York to prove its class, or for Seattle to show the fight that kept them in recent losses.
New York sits seventh at 16-12, but recent wins over Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas have come by a combined seven points. Seattle, anchored in 15th place at 6-24, has lost five straight, struggling to close tight games even when scoring over 100. The standing gap is wide, but form suggests the margin could be narrower.
Head-to-head, the Liberty lead 5-3, but the Storm took the last meeting on June 26. The key battle: New York's ability to hold a lead against a Seattle team that has been competitive in defeat. With both defenses giving up points, the game may hinge on who executes down the stretch.
