The Seattle Storm head to Target Center on Thursday night to face the Minnesota Lynx in a 5:00 PM PDT Western Conference showdown, airing on FanDuel Sports Network – North and CW Seattle. Tickets start as low as $15, making it a hot ticket for Minneapolis fans. The Lynx, with a dominant 30-7 record, are 7.5-point home favorites with an over/under of 163.5 points, coming off a 97-84 win over Indiana. The Storm, at 20-18, are riding a three-game win streak after an 84-82 victory over Washington. With Minnesota leading the season series 2-1, this game is a playoff-caliber clash.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Skylar Diggins-Smith runs Seattle’s offense with 15.7 points and 5.9 assists, coming off a 14-point, seven-assist performance. Courtney Williams leads the Lynx with 13.8 points and 6.2 assists, a steady playmaker who keeps their attack flowing.
Shooting Guard – Jewell Loyd is Seattle’s scoring spark, averaging 12.8 points but struggling with efficiency against Minnesota’s defense. Kayla McBride counters for the Lynx with 14.9 points and 42.9% field goal shooting, a sharpshooter who dropped 19 points in their last meeting.
Small Forward – Gabby Williams gives the Storm two-way versatility, averaging 12.2 points and 4.4 assists, key for her defensive hustle. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota’s MVP candidate, dominates with 23.9 points and 7.6 rebounds, though she’s questionable with an ankle injury.
Power Forward – Nneka Ogwumike anchors Seattle with 18.3 points and 7.1 rebounds, a consistent force who had 16 points against Washington. Alanna Smith provides the Lynx with 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, stretching the floor with her shooting.
Center – Ezi Magbegor holds down Seattle’s paint with 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds, a rim protector facing a tough matchup. Jessica Shepard rounds out Minnesota’s lineup with 8.0 points and 7.2 rebounds, a versatile big who posted a triple-double recently.
Game Outlook
The Lynx are the WNBA’s best, boasting an 18-1 home record and leading the league in field goal percentage (47.2%) and defense (76.6 PPG allowed). They’ve won two of three against Seattle this season, including a 91-87 victory on August 5, led by Collier’s 27 points. The Storm, with a 20-18 record, rank fifth in field goal percentage (45.3%) and seventh in defense (79.8 PPG allowed), but their offense relies heavily on Ogwumike and Loyd. Both teams play at a moderate pace, with Minnesota slightly faster (seventh in the league). Seattle’s recent wins show fight, but Minnesota’s depth and home dominance make them tough to beat, especially if Collier plays.
Best Bets
- Minnesota Lynx -7.5 – The Lynx’s elite defense and 18-1 home record make them a strong pick to cover against a Storm team that’s struggled in this series.
- Under 163.5 Total Points – Minnesota’s top-ranked defense and the low-scoring nature of their prior meetings (178 and 146 points) suggest a game that could stay under.
- Nneka Ogwumike Over 17.5 Points – Ogwumike’s averaging 18.3 points and cleared this mark in 14 of her last 20 games, including 16 against Minnesota.
Final Score Prediction
Minnesota Lynx 86 – Seattle Storm 77
For more expert breakdowns, betting picks, and daily coverage, check out our WNBA Picks and Predictions page.
