Skylar Diggins returns and nets 21 as Storm overwhelm Sky

Skylar Diggins scored a game-high 21 points and Dominique Malonga had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting Seattle Storm routed the Chicago Sky 95-57 on Thursday.

Playing the opener of a three-game trip, Seattle (15-10) won for the third time in its past four road games. The Storm shot 53.6 percent while collecting 25 assists on 37 made field goals.

Six players finished in double figures for the Storm. Erica Wheeler scored 13 points, Lexie Brown added 12 and Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams chipped in 10 apiece. Williams contributed seven assists while Malonga had 10 boards.

The Storm led by as many as 39 points.

Short-handed Chicago (7-17) lost its fourth straight game to match a season high. The Sky were without leading scorer Ariel Atkins (leg) as well as Angel Reese (back), who is tops on the team in rebounds and assists. Occasional starter Michaela Onyenwere (knee) also missed the game due to injury.

Kamilla Cardoso notched a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago, while Rachel Banham (13 points) and Elizabeth Williams (11) also scored in double figures.

The Sky slumped to 33.9 percent shooting, including a 4-for-21 effort from long range, and committed 20 turnovers. Chicago endured a field-goal drought of 8:29 spanning a Cardoso putback midway through the second quarter and a Banham trey with 7:21 to play in the third.

Hailey Van Lith had eight points and five assists for the Sky.

Seattle coasted to a 39-26 advantage at the break behind a 12-point effort from Diggins, who returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday's home loss to Dallas due to personal reasons. The Storm shot 38.5 percent in the first half while forcing the Sky into 12 turnovers.

Cardoso had nine points and 10 rebounds at the break.

The Storm will aim to take the season series from the Sky when Chicago hosts Seattle on Aug. 19.

The Sky have lost by an average of 27.8 points during their current skid.

--Field Level Media