Seattle Storm rookie Nika Muhl will be absent against the Washington Mystics at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Monday. The franchise announced on Sunday that the 23-year-old will be miss the game owing to "personal reasons." It remains uncertain when she returns.
The former UConn star hasn't seen much playing time in her first season of professional basketball. Seattle coach Noelle Quinn has mostly utilized Muhl during garbage time, when the game's outcome has already been determined.
The Seattle Storm are one of the best teams in the WNBA this season. They are ranked fourth in the league and second in the Western Conference after 28 games. Nika Muhl has featured in only 13 of them.
Limited Playing Time Sparks Frustration
The rookie is averaging 2.6 minutes per game, with a total of 34 minutes played. Muhl is yet to score her first WNBA point, having taken only six shots, with five of them coming from beyond the arc. She has collected six rebounds, handed out one assist and committed three turnovers.
Fans have urged Seattle coach Quinn to give Muhl more playing time, but their pleas have gone in vain. Some vented their frustration with Muhl's lack of game time after the Storm made the announcement on Sunday.
"I'm so frustrated that Nika Muhl is getting zero minutes again!" one fan commented on social media. "She's a talented player who deserves a chance to prove herself. It's time for Quinn to give her some real minutes."
Another fan added, "It's a shame to see Nika Muhl being wasted on the bench. She's a young player with potential, and she needs playing time to develop. The Storm need to give her a chance to show what she can do."
A Look at Muhl's Potential
While Muhl's playing time has been limited, she has shown flashes of brilliance in her limited appearances. Her ability to handle the ball, create scoring opportunities for her teammates, and play solid defense is evident. She also demonstrated a good grasp of the game while she was playing for UConn. She proved her worth as a dynamic player by helping the Huskies win the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Many fans, analysts, and scouts believe she is a player with high potential.
Muhl's Impressive Background
Muhl was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. She was a McDonald's All-American and a five-star recruit, and she led her high school team to a state championship. In her freshman season at UConn, Muhl was a key player on a team that won the national championship. Despite a lower-than-expected role on the team, she was a valuable player throughout her four seasons at UConn. In the 2023 season, she started 33 of the 37 games and averaged 7.9 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. She was a part of a strong UConn team that won the national championship and finished the season with a 31-6 record. This experience is one of the reasons why fans are disappointed about her lack of game time in the WNBA.
The Storm's Future
Despite the disappointment surrounding Muhl's situation, the Storm remain one of the best teams in the WNBA. They are looking to build on their success this season, with the addition of forward Gabby Williams. The Storm signed the French star to a rest-of-season pro-rated vet minimum contract. The star forward is expected to make her season debut against the Mystics at home.
The Storm came out on top of their last meeting in Washington on August 20, 83-77, and Seattle will want to secure another win now that they're playing at home. They're looking to make it back-to-back wins against the Washington Mystics.
The Seattle Storm vs. Washington Mystics game is scheduled for tip-off at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT). The game will be telecast live on FOX 13+ and Monumental Sports Network. Fans will also have the option to live stream the game on the WNBA League Pass and Amazon Prime Video - Seattle.
The Bigger Picture
Muhl's lack of playing time raises questions about the Storm's development strategy for young players. With several veteran players on the roster, it's understandable that the focus is on winning now. However, it's also important for the Storm to invest in the future, and that includes giving opportunities to young players like Muhl. This situation highlights the complex dynamic between winning now and developing players for the future. It will be interesting to see if Quinn makes any changes to her rotation to allow Muhl more playing time.
It will be the fourth meeting of the season between both teams, with Seattle holding a 3-0 record.
