Diggins, 34, is a six-time All-Star who has graced numerous stellar teams throughout her career. Her conviction in the Storm's potential is a strong indicator of the team's promising trajectory. Indeed, Seattle has kicked off the season with a solid 3-2 record, highlighted by a dominant 20-point victory over the formidable Las Vegas Aces.
A Symphony of Talent: Chemistry on the Court
The veteran guard attributes this early success to a well-balanced and cohesive unit. "It’s a great combination of players," Diggins explained. "Everybody knows what they’re good at. Our spacing has been great. People have been picking up really quickly on things." This synergy suggests a team that is not only individually skilled but also capable of operating as a fluid, intelligent collective.
This season marks the second year of Diggins' partnership with fellow superstar Nneka Ogwumike, both playing under the guidance of coach Noelle Quinn. Their inaugural season together was far from disappointing; Diggins set a Storm franchise record with 570 points assisted, and the team secured a playoff berth after missing out entirely in 2023 with a dismal 11-29 record. However, their playoff journey was cut short by the Aces in the first round, leaving a clear hunger for significant improvement in 2025.
Shared Vision: Ogwumike's Comfort and Championship Ambitions
Nneka Ogwumike, also 34, reinforced her commitment to the Storm by signing another one-year deal in February. She expresses increasing comfort within the Seattle system and firmly believes that her partnership with Diggins can propel the four-time WNBA champions back to their former glory. "I think we can take it pretty far, especially because not only are we both here again, but we were both here for the first time last year," Ogwumike reflected. "So, we have a very shared experience and kind of memory of what we did last year and how we want to build off of it." This shared understanding of their previous season's journey provides a solid foundation for their collaborative efforts.
The two veterans boast a two-decade-long acquaintance, though their paths never crossed as teammates until last year. Last season, they combined to average 31.8 points per game. With the offseason trade of longtime guard Jewell Loyd to the Aces, the onus on Diggins and Ogwumike to produce offensively has increased. Unsurprisingly, their combined average has already risen to 37.4 points per game this season, a testament to their growing comfort and effectiveness within Coach Quinn's offensive system. Diggins succinctly summarized their dynamic: "It’s easy playing with good players. A lot of us are very confident in who we are as basketball players and what we can do. And so, we kind of learn how we can complement each other and use each other to get what we want."
A New Chapter: Blending Experience with Emerging Talent
Diggins and Ogwumike symbolize the dawn of a new era for Storm basketball, a transition particularly solidified by Loyd's trade to the Aces in January amidst some internal turmoil. While Loyd was an integral part of the Storm's 2018 and 2020 championship teams, alongside legends Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, the current roster represents a fresh, yet promising, core.
However, the team isn't entirely without familiar faces from their recent championship runs. Forward Alysha Clark has returned to Seattle after a five-year hiatus, and fellow forward Ezi Magbegor, drafted in 2019, has steadily ascended to a more prominent role. The addition of 2025 No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga, with her impressive 6-foot-6 frame, further bolsters the team's potential, though she is being integrated cautiously in the early stages of the season. Ogwumike sees Malonga's arrival as a significant marker for the team's future. "What really sealed the deal for what could potentially be a new era was (Malonga) getting drafted here," she noted, expressing enthusiasm about "being able to be a part of a little bit of the history, but also the future too."
As Diggins rightly emphasized, the Storm's strength lies in its blend of accomplished veterans and promising young WNBA players. Ultimately, however, the team's aspirations rest heavily on the shoulders of Diggins and Ogwumike. Ogwumike already holds a WNBA championship title from 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks, while Diggins is still fiercely pursuing her first. Her decision to join the Storm two winters ago was largely fueled by her unwavering belief in the franchise's capabilities.
"It’s always been a great landing spot for free agents and winning basketball," Diggins affirmed. "We just want to continue to build off our plus-14 win (improvement) season last year that we did and just continue to position us where we want to be, and that’s contending for a championship." With such a talented and experienced core, the Seattle Storm are undoubtedly positioning themselves for a deep playoff run and a return to championship contention in the seasons to come.