The stakes for this one? Let’s just say they are Storm-charged. Nneka Ogwumike was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2012. A decade of dominance, a league MVP, a championship and Rookie of the Year honors later, she is now suiting up against the franchise that once built around her. The Sparks traded her, and the Storm embraced. “She’s greatness personified,” said Storm head coach Noelle Quinn. And Seattle has already seen the proof: they’re up 1–0 in the season series against LA, with Nneka at the center of it all.

But tonight could flip the script. The Sparks will be unleashing their 2024 No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink. She is suiting up for just the second time this season. Her debut didn’t go as planned, a five-point, 14-minute showing in a loss that snapped LA’s five-game win streak. However, she adds a layer of intrigue to a rivalry that suddenly feels very personal. Tonight’s theme for Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks is Former face of a franchise vs. the new foundation piece.

Let’s break down everything you need to know before tip-off…

Where to Watch the Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks?

• Date: Friday, 1st August
• Time: 10:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)
• Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington

Injury Report

Seattle Storm:

For the Storm, Katie Lou Samuleson is the only player who will remain sidelined tonight. It’s due to a torn ACL that she suffered back in May. After that incident, the franchise has decided to sideline her for the year. Other than her, every player is healthy enough to suit up against Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Sparks:

Healthy roster, no reported injuries yet. Since Cameron Brink’s return after 400+ days of rest due to an injured meniscus and ACL last season, the Sparks roster is complete. The Sparks HC Lynne Roberts can enter into opponents territory relatively relaxed.

Predicted Starting Lineup

Seattle Storm:

• Nneka Ogwumike (#3)
  MIN: 30.2 | PTS: 17.4 | REB: 7.1 (1.3 OR + 5.8 DR) | AST: 2.2 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.6

• Gabby Williams (#5)
  MIN: 32.4 | PTS: 12.8 | REB: 4.6 (0.6 OR + 4.0 DR) | AST: 4.4 | STL: 2.5 | BLK: 0.5

• Ezi Magbegor (#13)
  MIN: 27.2 | PTS: 8.4 | REB: 6.3 (2.1 OR + 4.1 DR) | AST: 2.2 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 2.2

• Skylar Diggins (#4)
  MIN: 31.5 | PTS: 16.9 | REB: 2.9 (0.5 OR + 2.4 DR) | AST: 5.8 | STL: 1.0 | BLK: 0.8

• Erica Wheeler (#17)
  MIN: 27.0 | PTS: 10.9 | REB: 3.2 (0.5 OR + 2.7 DR) | AST: 3.7 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.3

Los Angeles Sparks:

• Dearica Hamby (#5)
  MIN: 32.0 | PTS: 17.5 | REB: 7.9 | AST: 3.4 | STL: 1.7 | BLK: 0.5

• Azura Stevens (#23)
  MIN: 28.9 | PTS: 14.7 | REB: 8.6 | AST: 1.9 | STL: 1.4 | BLK: 1.2

• Rickea Jackson (#2)
  MIN: 30.3 | PTS: 13.2 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 2.0 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 0.4

• Kelsey Plum (#10)
  MIN: 35.2 | PTS: 20.2 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 6.0 | STL: 1.4 | BLK: 0.1

• Julie Allemand (#20)
  MIN: 24.8 | PTS: 4.5 | REB: 3.4 | AST: 4.2 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.0

How the Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks Showdown Might go Down…

There’s something about Storm vs. Sparks that feels old-school. It is like a rivalry that is still in the oven, bubbling with tension, pride, and playoff pressure. Although, the first matchup between these teams left no doubt. Seattle absolutely dominated LA with a brutal 98-67 beatdown back in June. Now the Sparks are returning to Seattle’s home court for Game 2, and the energy remains same.

The Storm are rolling at 9-6 in the West. They have won 4 of their last 6 behind lockdown defense and Nneka Ogwumike’s offensive firepower (she just dropped 26 points last game). With Ezi Magbegor swatting shots and Skylar Diggins running the show, Seattle looks like a complete, well-oiled machine right now.

Meanwhile, the Sparks are frustratingly inconsistent. Sure, they have gone 6-4 in their last 10 and even hung 101 points on New York. But they are also coming off a 15-point loss to Las Vegas and still can’t figure out their road struggles (just 3-11 away from home). Kelsey Plum keeps balling out, but trying to outgun the Storm is tough when your defense is surrendering nearly 88 points per game.

With playoff seeding on the line and Seattle already up 1-0 in the season series, this game carries major weight. ESPN’s predictor gives the Storm a commanding 71.3% chance to win. Moreover, given their home-court advantage, that seems accurate. Unless LA suddenly puts together their most flawless performance of the year, expect Seattle to steamroll them again.