Nika Mühl’s WNBA Debut Sparks Hope for Seattle Storm’s Offensive Revival
Seattle Storm fans can finally celebrate the highly anticipated WNBA debut of rookie guard Nika Mühl as she takes on the Indiana Fever Wednesday night.
It's official! 😜 pic.twitter.com/vdkWxHrStz
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 22, 2024
Mühl, a second-round draft pick, missed the first four games due to visa issues, a situation she handled with a touch of humor by arriving at the arena sporting a shirt showcasing her newly approved visa.
Click here to check out about Nika Muhl Visa Approved Zagreb Shirt.
Lookin’ good, feelin’ better 😁 pic.twitter.com/TkB6Ur3OUX
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 23, 2024
Head coach Noelle Quinn confirmed Mühl‘s readiness to step onto the court, a development made possible after she secured a P1 work visa earlier this week.
Expectations are soaring for the 23-year-old playmaker who averaged 7.0 points and 7.2 assists per game during her time at UConn. The Storm desperately needs Mühl’s facilitating skills as the backcourt duo of Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith are still finding their rhythm together.
Seattle’s offensive struggles, ranking last in assists and assist rate, are evident, and the team’s over-reliance on isolation plays is further compounded by the low shooting percentage of Loyd and Diggins-Smith.
While Mühl is expected to come off the bench initially, her role as a pass-first guard could be crucial in addressing the Storm’s offensive deficiencies. Having a true facilitator who prioritizes ball movement over scoring can be the catalyst for unlocking Seattle’s offensive potential.