Storm Host Portland Fire in 7 p.m. Preseason Game
The Seattle Storm open a new home preseason test against the portland fire on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle is still sorting out roles after a narrow loss to the Golden State Valkyries over the weekend, and this one comes with several regulars unavailable.
Climate Pledge Arena return
The Storm practiced Tuesday at Climate Pledge Arena to adjust to the lighting, court conditions and locker room setup before playing there again. Sonia Raman said, “We’re so excited to play here,” and added, “These are the best fans in the W.”
That home setting matters because Seattle is using the preseason to give younger players a real look at the arena they will share with the full roster once the regular season starts. The Storm open that schedule May 8 against Golden State, so these minutes come before the games count.
Storm absences
Seattle will be without Awa Fam, Ezi Magbegor, Katie Lou Samuelson and Jordan Horston. Fam is finishing her professional season in Spain, Magbegor is expected to miss another five to seven weeks, and Samuelson and Horston are nearing returns from long-term injuries but are not expected to play yet.
Those absences push more responsibility onto the players who are available, including a group Raman described as deeper than age or experience alone. “We’ve got a lot of leaders in this group,” she said. “Leaders don’t just have to be the oldest players or the veterans, so I like to encourage those voices.”
Lexie Brown on young Storm
Lexie Brown said the earlier preseason game in Golden State gave the rookies a useful first taste of an arena crowd. “I think it’s great that we got to play in Golden State first so these rookies got a taste of what it’s like to be in a packed arena,” she said. “They’re not going to come here and be nervous.”
Brown also framed the preseason as a work-in-progress for a roster still learning each other’s habits. “Keeping the vibes, understanding that we’re still learning — this is all a process,” she said. Raman echoed that view after the loss to the Valkyries, saying, “The last game told us more about what we need to work on next,” and, “We’re building our defense into those next layers, especially our rotations.”
For Seattle, Wednesday is less about the scoreboard than about how quickly a younger rotation can settle into the arena and the pace Raman wants before the May 8 opener. Portland gives the Storm a live preseason opponent, but the larger test is whether the available group can keep building while four players sit out.
