Any disappointment the Storm felt after tying for first in the Commissioner’s Cup race in the Western Conference and losing a tiebreaker that sent the Minnesota Lynx to the Cup final, quickly dissipated during Thursday’s 92-84 win against the Dallas Wings. “At the end of the day those were games that we wanted to get better in and get those wins, but it’s not a letdown at all,” coach Noelle Quinn said. “I thought our team competed at a high level and really took the challenge of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We tried our hardest to get there, but no disappointment though. I like the way in which we are playing basketball.” The Storm, which finished 4-1 in Cup games, missed out on a chance at winning the $500,000 prize purse that goes to the Cup champion, but they’ve won eight of their past nine games and improved to 9-4 — tied for their best fourth start in franchise history.
“The Commissioner’s Cup was just kind of like a side street,” Quinn said. “The main goal is always to compete at a high level. The big picture is always in sight for me as a coach.
What I preach, teach and emphasize is the next biggest game is the next game — the one in front of us.” In workman-like fashion, the Storm slowly distanced themselves from the Wings and held on in the final minutes thanks to a balanced attack led by Skylar Diggins-Smith, who finished with 21 points, six assists and three steals. Jewell Loyd had 19 points, six assists and four steals while Nneka Ogw.
