With loss to Liberty, Seattle Storm drop to third place

The Connecticut Sun are now in sole possession of second place.

The Seattle Storm, playing without Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird for the second game in a row, fell to the New York Liberty, 83-79, on Wednesday night. With the loss, Seattle dropped to third place, one game back of the first-place Las Vegas Aces. The Sun are half a game back.

Jewell Loyd tied a career-high with 35 points and added four rebounds and three assists. The Storm guard earned Player of the Game honors despite the loss.

JEWELL LOYD IS COOKING 🔥

She has 35 PTS at the end of the 3rd quarter 🤯

(via @wnba)pic.twitter.com/L9CPQyO5kG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 19, 2021

Loyd’s offensive outburst, including 21 points in the third quarter alone, ultimately wasn’t enough. The Liberty outscored the Storm 21-7 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Betnijah Laney scored 17 points for the Liberty, including a go-ahead basket with 17.6 seconds left.

🥶 BETNIJAH LANEY AT THE BUZZER 🥶

The bucket that sealed the dub for the @nyliberty#CountIt pic.twitter.com/dVVD0YaVaD

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 19, 2021

The Storm have a shot at redemption against the Liberty on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.