SEATTLE — Searching for a silver lining to mitigate the COVID-19-related absences which have pared down the Storm’s roster, Noelle Quinn provided this: “At the very least it’s occurring now and never late within the season.”

The Storm pushed the Phoenix Mercury to the tip within the second of two straight video games in opposition to the Western Convention rivals. The Storm fell brief as soon as once more and misplaced its third straight recreation, a 69-64 defeat Saturday.

Jewell Loyd placed on a present for the 12,453 at Local weather Pledge Area and completed with 23 factors.

But it surely wasn’t sufficient to abate a three-point barrage from Diana Taurasi, who dropped six pictures from deep for twenty-four factors.

The Mercury star obtained offensive help from Skylar Diggins-Smith (14 factors) and Diamond DeShields (11) whereas Loyd was principally a one-woman present.

Storm star Breanna Stewart and backup guard Epiphanny Prince are in well being and security protocols and missed their second straight recreation whereas Seattle has been with out heart Mercedes Russell this season because of an undisclosed non-basketball damage.

The absences compelled Quinn to depend on a small-ball lineup wherein Stephanie Talbot, a 6-foot-2 ahead, defended 6-4 heart Tina Charles, who demolished the Storm on Wednesday whereas tallying 22 factors on 8-for-13 capturing and 11 rebounds to guide Phoenix to a 97-77 win.

Talbot supplied the primary line of protection in opposition to the eight-time WNBA All-Star whereas 6-4 heart Ezi Magbegor repeatedly rushed in and double teamed the Mercury’s main scorer.

The tactic was efficient.

Magbegor racked up a career-high seven blocks, which was one shy of the Storm file whereas Charles had simply 4 factors on 2-for-7 capturing.

The Storm trailed 34-32 on the break.

Loyd took over within the third quarter whereas scoring 9 factors for Seattle, which outscored Phoenix 17-15 and was tied 49-49 heading to the fourth.

Taurasi unlocked a 59-59 tie with a three-pointer. She drained one other shot from downtown minutes later that put Phoenix up 67-61.

Loyd answered with three and the Storm had two probabilities to tie it within the ultimate minute. Fowl missed a 3 with 6.3 seconds left earlier than Taurasi scored the ultimate factors with a pair of free throws.