Storm's Ezi Magbegor out at least 6-8 weeks with foot injury
Storm forward Ezi Magbegor will miss at least six to eight weeks due to a right foot injury that occurred while playing for Australia in the 2026 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in Istanbul.
"Injuries are unfortunate, but I'm feeling good," she said Monday. "Obviously, it's just nice to be back here in Seattle and with the team. That was something that I really just wanted to do, and just be back here for the start of training camp and be able to support the team for the next few weeks."
Magbegor, who is s entering her seventh WNBA season, is the longest tenured Storm player and their leading returning scorer after averaging 8.0 points in 2025.
Last week, she signed a three-year deal worth $3.75 million that will keep her in Seattle through the 2028 season.
"Ezi is a huge part of what we're going to do," coach Sonia Raman said. "She's a huge part of this organization and this team. We're really, really excited to have Ezi with us and back with us. She's really tapping into her leadership ability right now, and that's going to be just a huge part of how she pours into her teammates and I think they're already feeling it.
"She knows the game and she's got just a really good way about her and how she's able to encourage others."
Magbegor will be re-evaluated in June and is expected to miss at least the first 10 games of the 44-game WNBA schedule.
"It's next player up. That's always how it is," Raman said. "We have some really, really good players on this team. We have a really good frontcourt. We'll be prepared and ready to go and of course we'll be really excited when we get her back."
Magbegor figured prominently in the Storm's plans and her absence creates a gaping hole in a lineup that will now include five new starters.
Seemingly, second-year center Dominique Malonga, who averaged 7.7 points in 42 games off the bench last season, moves into the spotlight and becomes the primary weapon of a young team devoid of established stars.
"I don't think it changes my focus," Malonga said when asked about Magbegor's injury. "I've always been a hard worker and I'm also ready to step up. I Just want to bring whatever the team needs (from) me. How many minutes it's going to be? I don't know, but I'm just really ready for whatever.
"I talked with the coach. We have a great plan. We have a good group too. We have a lot of strength in this group. It's not going to all rely on me. We have a lot of great additions too. It's going to be a good chemistry and that's what matters. It's not just about one player. It's about this team that we're building."
Center Stefanie Dolson, second-year forward Mackenzie Holmes and fourth-year forward Beatrice Mompremier are the other post players in camp.
Rookie center Awa Fam, who was taken No. 3 in the last week's WNBA draft, returned home to play with her Spanish team Valencia Basket. When their season ends, she's expected to make her Storm debut.
Forwards Jordan Horston and Katie Lou Samuelson, who are returning from ACL injuries that forced them to miss last season, are limited in practice and not competing in contact or five-on-five drills.
Horston is optimistic she'll play in the regular-season opener.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.