Seattle Storm maintain laser focus to spoil Loyd return

Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn said maintaining focus on the court, rather than on Jewell Loyd's return, helped her team overcome the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.

The Storm have won three straight games since suffering a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Mercury, having beaten the Aces by a 102-82 scoreline at Climate Pledge Arena.

The game was the team's first against Loyd since she requested a trade to Las Vegas in January, having spent the first decade of her WNBA career in Seattle.

Loyd was held to 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting at her former home, where the Storm honoured her with a pre-game tribute video, and Nneka Ogwumike had 23 points to lead the hosts to victory.

Speaking at her post-game press conference, Quinn said: "The focus today was us. It was the Storm versus the Aces and we knew we were playing a very good team.

"We have vets in the room who have been in different types of environments.

"Our theme last game was discipline, and if we're talking about getting better, I don't think there was any drop-off in that. The focus remains on us."

Triple digits for the three-day weekend #NothingButStorm x @DeltaDentalWA pic.twitter.com/UYDXyw5Xkc
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 26, 2025

The Storm joined the Mercury on a 3-1 record, with only the 4-0 Minnesota Lynx making a better start in the Western Conference.

Loyd, meanwhile, was appreciative of the reception she received at her former home arena, saying: "The fans have always been really great here.

"Obviously, when you spend 10 years somewhere you meet a lot of people and you have a lot of relationships.

"So it was nice to see my family out there as well. My dad came. It's cool.

"I really tried to focus on the game as much as possible and not get too emotional here or there, but I appreciate it."

The Storm face the Lynx at Target Center in their next game on Tuesday, while the Aces – now 2-2 for the season – host the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.