Even after finding the win column in five consecutive games, the Seattle Storm weren’t oblivious to the benefits and mental boosts accompanying a victory over the WNBA’s defending champions. Offered their opportunity at a postseason-caliber close-up on June 7, 2024, Seattle turned to a player well acclimated to the big-game atmosphere. Bringing her best to a back-and-forth final quarter, Skylar Diggins-Smith pairs a lightning-quick drive with a perfectly-timed pick-and-roll, opening a free path to the rim. Given the opportunity at a double-digit lead in the final three minutes with a strong finish, Diggins-Smith elevates past Alysha Clark, banking in an acrobatic switch-hand layup alongside a foul. Trusting the law of averages, the six-time All-Star found fire in the second half — scoring 19 of her 21 over that stretch — alongside two rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks, and two 3-pointers in 34 minutes. The clutch, do-it-all method helped Seattle conquer the Las Vegas Aces in a measuring stick matchup, moving the Storm to an elite 7-3 open to the 2024 season. · Jun 8, 2024