Storm face tough test on long road trip

The Seattle Storm are a young team that is rebuilding. One of their toughest tasks for the young team has been winning on the road. So far this season, the Storm are just 1-8 on the road; while they've performed much better at home (4-5). With the All-Star break now over, the team looks to keep pace for the 4th and final playoff spot in the West. This could be a make-it-or-break-it stretch for the Storm as they will play the next six games on the road.

The first game on the docket is an early game this morning at 8:30am PST against the Washington Mystic (9-6). The Mystic are led by Stefanie Dolson who leads the team in both points (13.4 PPG) and rebounds (7.3 RPG). The Mystic have two other players that score in double-figures, they are Emma Meesseman and Ivory Latta.

Storm fans should remember that Seattle acquired Crystal Langhorne from the Washington Mystic during a Draft Day trade in 2014. Seattle sent 2013 first round pick Tianna Hawkins (6th overall) and 2014 first round pick Bria Hartley (7th overall) to the Mystic in exchange for Langhorne. Crystal is averaging 10.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG this season; while Hartley has been out injured for most of the season and is only averaging 3.3 PPG and 1.8 APG. Tianna Hawkins is actually out this season because she was pregnant to start the season and just gave birth to a baby boy in late June.

The Storm are still led by Sue Bird, who was the only Storm player to make the All-Star team again this season. Rookies Ramu Tokashiki and Jewell Loyd continue to improve their game as they have been reinserted into the starting lineup.