DOUBLE OVERTIME IN SEATTLE: SPARKS EDGE STORM 108–106 IN THRILLER
Updated: Aug 4, 2025
In a thrilling showdown at Climate Pledge Arena, the Los Angeles Sparks ultimately outlasted the Seattle Storm 108–106 after double overtime, in what will go down as one of the most intense games of the WNBA season. The Seattle crowd, standing for long stretches, was treated to a heroic battle filled with high-level individual performances.
With a combined total of 214 points, this game was not only an offensive showcase on both sides but also a mental and physical test, as players had to dig deep into their reserves.
Despite an exceptional night from Nneka Ogwumike, who poured in 37 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, the Storm fell short on a layup by Dearica Hamby with just four seconds left in the second overtime. Seattle had led in both overtimes but couldn’t quite close it out.
Exceptional individual performances
For Seattle, all credit goes to Nneka Ogwumike, who was remarkable from start to finish, hitting clutch baskets time and again. The veteran finished with 37 points on 14-of-25 shooting and 9 rebounds, crossing the symbolic 7,000-point mark in the process. Skylar Diggins-Smith also impressed with 18 points and 6 assists, while Ezi Magbegor contributed 9 points and 11 rebounds.
But Los Angeles had plenty of firepower in return. Rickea Jackson, who scored 27 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, was ice-cold in crunch time, showing impressive poise. Former Huskie Kelsey Plum added 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Dearica Hamby (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Azura Stevens (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) also stepped up to keep LA in the game and ultimately push them to victory in the crucial moments.
A balanced first quarter
Skylar Diggins-Smith opened the scoring for Seattle in a first quarter that was relatively balanced, with neither team shooting particularly well. Los Angeles scored 10 of its 18 points in the paint. Nneka Ogwumike was already leading the way with 11 points in the opening 10 minutes on 5-of-8 shooting. The Storm shot 35% from the field, compared to 41% for LA.
Storm takes the lead in the second quarter
Seattle found its rhythm and accelerated, especially through Lexie Brown, who shot 100% in the quarter and scored 5 points with a jumper, a beautiful assist to Erica Wheeler, and a three-pointer. The Storm went on an 11–0 run to take control.
Skylar Diggins-Smith, who recorded her first career triple-double in the previous game, was sharp from long range, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. But the Sparks stayed close thanks to the trio of Dearica Hamby (12 points, 6 rebounds), Azura Stevens (9 points), and Rickea Jackson (11 points, 6 rebounds). Dominique Malonga, in 13 minutes, scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Alongside Lexie Brown, she had the biggest impact off the bench in the first half.
Offensive explosion in the third quarter
In the third, both teams heated up offensively, combining for 50 points (27 for Seattle, 23 for LA). Kelsey Plum, quiet in the first half, caught fire for the Sparks with back-to-back layups, a three-pointer, another drive, and two free throws, for 9 points in the quarter.
For Seattle, it was Ezi Magbegor with 7 points and Nneka Ogwumike with 10 who helped maintain the lead. Gabby Williams put on a show with a steal, coast-to-coast layup, and another one seconds later. The quarter ended with a highlight block from Dominique Malonga at the buzzer on Cameron Brink, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
A breathless fourth quarter
It took until the fourth quarter for Cameron Brink to finally score her first points of the game (5 total). Skylar Diggins thrilled the crowd with a deep three. The face-off between Erica Wheeler and Kelsey Plum was electric, as the two battled with crossovers and high-intensity possessions.
With 4:24 remaining, the two teams were tied once again, but the Sparks responded with three straight baskets, forcing Noelle Quinn to call a timeout.
A wild finish
The final two minutes were incredibly intense. Trailing by five, Erica Wheeler brought the crowd to its feet with a game-tying three-pointer. Seattle’s defense was heroic, stopping every Sparks attempt in a row.
Gabby Williams then knocked down a corner three to put the Storm up by one. Skylar Diggins intercepted a bad pass from Dearica Hamby and raced in for a layup that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Seattle led 82–79 with 57 seconds left, and the suspense was unbearable.
LA tied it again, but clutch Erica Wheeler drove hard to the rim and converted an and-one. Rickea Jackson responded on the next play to tie things up with 17 seconds remaining. Wheeler then found Gabby Williams, who knocked down her jumper to put the Storm back in front with 7.9 seconds to go. It looked like it might be enough, but Rickea Jackson tied it once more. Wheeler’s buzzer-beater missed, and the teams went to overtime in what was the most dramatic game of Seattle’s season.
Double overtime and a dramatic ending
In the first overtime (99–99), Azura Stevens made her presence felt with a beautiful assist, a three-pointer, and a layup. Skylar Diggins answered with a drive, and Nneka Ogwumike added an and-one. Tied at 97 with 43 seconds left, the teams traded buckets to reach 99–99, and Kelsey Plum’s missed shot sent the game into a second overtime.
In the second OT, Gabby Williams hit a three with 16 seconds left to tie the game once more, a shot that had an Olympic feel to it in the roaring Climate Pledge Arena. But Dearica Hamby would be the one to seal it with a layup at 4 seconds from the end, giving Los Angeles a dramatic and hard-fought victory.
A game to remember
This matchup was a perfect illustration of what the WNBA does best: intensity, talent, and drama and will undoubtedly go down as one of the season’s standout contests. Despite a heartbreaking loss, the Storm showed incredible resilience, coming back from five-point deficits in both overtimes. Their ability to respond in the most critical moments reflects the toughness of this group, and this may well become a defining game as playoff season approaches.
Top 5 individual performances
Seattle Storm:
Nneka Ogwumike: 37 pts (14/25 FG), 9 rebounds
Skylar Diggins-Smith: 18 pts, 6 assists, 2 steals
Ezi Magbegor: 9 pts, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks
Gabby Williams: 10 pts, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Erica Wheeler: 15 pts, 6 assists, 3 steals
Los Angeles Sparks:
Rickea Jackson: 27 pts, 9 rebounds
Kelsey Plum: 22 pts, 7 assists, 4 rebounds
Dearica Hamby: 21 pts, 13 rebounds
Azura Stevens: 21 pts, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Cameron Brink: 7 pts, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
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