The Seattle Storm Wins Its Second Championship in Three Years

The Seattle Storm has been absolutely unstoppable in the Wubble (WNBA Bubble), capping off its historic season with a remarkable 18-4 regular season record and 6-0 playoffs record. Led by superstar forward Breanna Stewart and experienced guard Sue Bird, the team ended its season in a fitting 3-0 sweep against the Las Vegas Aces, asserting its sheer dominance in the league yet again.

Twenty-six-year-old Stewart has had an incredible impact on the floor throughout the season, becoming the Storm’s most reliable weapon. Her versatility—three-point shooting, lane-driving, aggressive defending, and meticulous passing—has made her nearly impossible to guard. In game 1, she scored 37 points, nearly breaking the record for most points scored in a final’s game. In addition, she averaged 25.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game throughout the playoffs, which is even more impressive given that she suffered a devastating Achilles injury in April. In an interview with The New York Times, Stewart confessed that “[she] wasn’t sure if [she] was ever going to be back to where [she] was.” This setback, however, obviously did not deter her as she returned in full swing, arguably in even better shape than before. As Stewart later remarked, “To be able to be here—to be able to see myself playing like this and having so much potential going forward—it’s exciting.” Indeed, this season has been nothing short of exciting for Stewart, as she can now finally begin her well-deserved break with a championship ring and Finals MVP trophy to her name.

Going strong at 39 years old, team leader Bird has also been a key factor in the Storm’s fourth championship. Though Bird is a 17-year veteran, her strength and skill quashed all doubts that her age was finally catching up to her. Her unparalleled experience makes her a great asset both on and off the court, and her quickness and agility make her a tough guard to defend—even against the best defenders in the league. Furthermore, her unmatched court vision and superior play-making enable her to dish teammates easy buckets. This comes as no surprise though, as she holds the WNBA record for the most assists all time. In fact, she broke the final’s assist record in game 1, setting 16 assists in her usual dominant fashion.

Stewart and Bird make an incredible duo, but as the sports world has seen time and time again, two superstars alone cannot win a team championship. This statement could not be truer for the Storm, as many other players stepped up when it mattered most and made the case for their greatness. The Storm found a reliable guard in 27-year-old Jewell Loyd, who reigned as the second leading scorer in the franchise this season behind Stewart. Veteran forward Alysha Clark, who was unanimously named to the WNBA’s 2020 All-Defensive First Team, gave the Storm the defensive boost they needed with her incredible athleticism and range. Another player who made huge contributions to the Storm’s lineup was guard Jordin Canada, who filled in for Bird in a few playoff games. Canada has proved herself to be a great playmaker and lane-driver, despite her small frame. Topping off the Storm’s ensemble of talented supporting players was forward Natasha Howard, who was named the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Howard’s shooting in the paint and unmatchable size advantage have been pivotal to the Storm’s dominance near the hoop.

Equipped with a strong lineup of rising stars, experienced veterans, and, well, Stewart (who defies all categories), the Storm entered the season with a single goal in mind: to win another championship. All season long, they lived up to expectations, cementing their identity as a high caliber team in a league of its own. The best part is: there’s no stopping the Storm from here. With a stacked lineup of developing superstars like Stewart and Lloyd, the Storm has an immense wealth of talent that it is sure to capitalize on going forward. This WNBA season was filled with many uncertainties—a cancelation of all professional sports, a Disney restart bubble, a frenzy of trades and deals—but the Storm made one thing very clear: the sky's the limit, and they have no intentions of stopping any time soon.