With the extension of the season to 40 games, records have multiplied this year in the WNBA. For the highest number of points scored in a regular season, Breanna Stewart had already erased Diana Taurasi, who stopped at 860 points scored in a season, in 2006.
But ultimately it was not the New York Liberty player who took the record. Limited to just 9 points on 4/17 shooting in her team’s defeat against the Washington Mystics, she left the door open for her former Seattle Storm teammate, Jewell Loyd. Before the matches, the two players were neck and neck, with 911 points scored so far by Jewell Loyd, and 910 by Breanna Stewart.
Except that with the failed performance of the New York star, the Seattle point guard/back had an avenue. And she took advantage of it, scoring 28 points (9/22) in her team’s defeat against the Los Angeles Sparks (91-89).
“It’s a bit of my way of thanking my coaches, my teammates and everyone who supported me in this adventure, because it wasn’t easy to do what I did”, explained Jewell Loyd about his record (939). “Honestly, no one else was doing it, so it’s pretty cool.” Maybe I’ll think about it more later, but for now, I’m mostly thinking about everyone around me and I want to say thank you. »
Jewell Loyd also says she is proud of not having forced herself to obtain this record, taking her usual shots. Even though the Seattle Storm had a very complicated season, embarked on a reconstruction after the retirement of Sue Bird and the departure of Breanna Stewart. In penultimate place in the league (11 wins – 29 losses), the “Emerald City” franchise will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
For Jewell Loyd, propelled alone to lead the Storm attack this season, this record is also a way to announce better days to Seattle fans, as she has just signed a contract extension.
” It’s really cool “concluded the basketball player. “It’s not every day that a city welcomes you like Seattle did me. We don’t always feel accepted and loved by everyone. I think everyone is very excited about what’s going to happen and I think they appreciate my choice. »